Life and health of young people in relation to their sexual orientation: A study in Thailand and Sweden

Anchalee Thitasan ^a*, Osman Aytar ^b, Eva-Maria Annerbäck ^c, Marianne Velandia ^d

^a Obstetric Department, Boromarajonnani College of Nursing Sunpasittiprasong, Muang, Ubon Ratchathani, 34000

^b School of Health, Care and Social Welfare, Mälardalen University, P.O. Box 325, SE-631 05, Eskilstuna, Sweden

^c Centre for Clinical Research, Uppsala University, Eskilstuna Sweden.

^d School of Health, Care and Social Welfare, Mälardalen University, P.O. Box 883, SE-721 23, Västerås, Sweden

Corresponding Author Anchalee Thitasan; E-mail: anrakar@yahoo.com

Abstract

Background: In many societies sexual minorities are not fully accepted. The experiences of oppression, stigma and discrimination may negatively influence young people’s life and health, in relation to the heterosexual norm as a standard. There is a lack of studies comparing sexual orientation of young people in relation to their living conditions and health between Asian and European countries, therefore Thailand and Sweden were purposively selected. In Sweden youth friendly services concerning sexual and reproductive health and rights are provided for all young people through youth clinics. Unlike in Sweden, young people in Thailand are likely to receive less support regarding sexual health and sexuality. This can lead to different health consequences especially among sexual minority groups.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine associations between sexual orientation and life and health of young people in Thailand and Sweden.

Study design: A cross-sectional study was performed using data from the Life and Health – Young surveys in Thailand and Sweden in year 2014. Data were analyzed for grade 11 students in Thailand (n=1,488) and year 2 students in Sweden (n=2,381). Multiple correspondence analysis was used to examine the association among variable categories of sexual orientation, living conditions, lifestyles and health variables. Preliminary result showed that students who identified themselves as bisexual, homosexual or unsure sexual orientation were more closely related with self-harm and poor health than their heterosexual counterparts. Conclusion: Sexual orientation was associate with life and health of young people both in Thailand and in Sweden. The findings can be beneficial to improve health and wellbeing of young people in relation to their sexual orientation.