Abstract
This study sought to understand the challenges faced by LGBTI populations in accessing healthcare services in Zimbabwe. The study was qualitative while data were collected using key informant interviews. Research participants were drawn from the Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe, Population Services Zimbabwe, National AIDS Council, and Wilkins hospital in Harare urban. The findings of the study indicated that the LGBTI population faces a number of challenges in accessing healthcare. These include stigma, discrimination, criminalization, and lack of knowledge on how to meet their health needs by the healthcare providers. The study concludes that the healthcare providers should provide a conducive environment where LGBTI populations are free and to discuss and disclose their statuses.
TopLiterature Review And Theoretical Framework
This study was guided by two theories, namely the Health Belief Model (HBM) and the Minority Stress Model. These models are discussed below.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Homosexuality: Refers to those whose primary attractions are to people of the same sex. Typically, men who are attracted to men are referred to as gay, and women who are attracted to women are referred to as lesbians (though they may also identify as gay).
Healthcare: This includes preventive, curative, and palliative services and interventions delivered to individuals or populations. In most countries, these services account for the majority of employment, expenditure, and activities that would be included in the broader health sector or health system.
Sexual Health: Is a state of physical, emotional, mental, and social wellbeing in relation to sexuality; it is not merely the absence of disease, dysfunction, or infirmity. Sexual health requires a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships, as well as the possibility of having pleasurable and safe sexual experiences, free of coercion, discrimination, and violence.
MSM: Men who have sex with men or men having sex with men or sex between men is a public health term describing any man who has sex with another man, whether occasionally, regularly, or as an expression of a gay identity.
Bisexuality: Refers to those who are attracted to both sexes; such individuals are often referred to as bisexual or bi. Some individuals avoid labels such as straight, gay, or bi and may refer to themselves as the same gender loving or use no label at all.
Transsexual: Or “trans” persons are individuals who identify with a different sex than that associated with the biological sex that was ascribed to them at birth. A transsexual person can be male-to-female or female-to-male. Additionally, some people who are undergoing hormone therapy, but who do not intend to undergo surgery, also refer to themselves as transsexual.