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Background: Lesbian, bisexual, and queer (LBQ) women exhibit high rates of alcohol and tobacco use, yet there is limited qualitative research examining why. Previous research has focused on minority stress explanations, linking alcohol and tobacco use to experiences of discrimination. However, other work considers the social contexts and cultural practices associated with alcohol and tobacco consumption. This confirms the need for more in-depth understandings of LBQ women's lived experiences in a contemporary Australian context. Aims: To address gaps in existing research, this project aims to develop a more nuanced contemporaneous theorising of what alcohol and tobacco mean to LBQ women in Australia. Drawing on feminist and critical drugs studies, this research will examine the complexities of alcohol and tobacco in LBQ women's lives, including how patterns of use change over time. We will also critically consider how LBQ women understand risk in relation to these substances, including factors leading to harm reduction and help-seeking. Method: We will employ a longitudinal qualitative approach to explore LBQ women's experiences over time, including three waves of semi-structured interviews and participant photography. We aim to recruit approximately 60 women in Victoria and New South Wales. Interview and visual data will be analysed using a range of narrative and thematic techniques. Conclusion: This study seeks to explore the complexities of individual experiences with alcohol and tobacco use, including pleasure and support-seeking, and to provide a nuanced understanding of the cultural dimensions of use that may change over time. In doing so, we propose a shift from deficit approaches to LBQ women's substance use towards more meaningful strengths-based engagement with the function of substances for LBQ women. Findings will be significant in their contribution to the current understandings of substance use patterns among LBQ women and the implications for harm reduction and health interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and objectives To provide deeper insights into the experiences of lesbian women in accessing cervical cancer screening and to inform strategies to increase the uptake of these services for this group of women. Background Lesbian women continue to face significant health disparities and are at increased risk for specific medical conditions. With cervical cancer being largely a preventable disease, early detection through the Papanicolaou test is crucial, as it enables treatment to commence early and limit the progression of the disease. Although the rates of cervical abnormalities among lesbian women are similar to that of the general population, lesbian women are less likely to have regular cervical screening. The reasons for this are largely unknown and there is a paucity of research that explores cervical cancer screening in lesbian women. Design Qualitative descriptive design. Methods Participants ( n = 9) were recruited via media release and those living in New South Wales who self-identified as lesbian, meeting the inclusion criteria were recruited for the study. Semi-structured, face to face and telephone interviews were used to obtain narrative data from lesbian women on their experiences of cervical screening. Results Three main themes emerged from the data: 'Lack of opportunistic screening'; 'Fear of penetration' and 'Encountering heterosexism and discrimination'. Conclusions This current study builds on existing knowledge and further, has identified issues that have not been previously raised in the literature. New findings from this study highlight participants' fear of penetration, and stigma associated with accessing information, as substantial barriers to cervical screening. Relevance to clinical practice This study's findings can guide future research and highlight possibilities for specific strategies to reduce health disparities among lesbian women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and objectives. This article aims to explore the stories and perceptions of consumers and health care workers in an area with a low uptake rate of women’s health screening. Further, this article explores what factors influence women’s choices for women’s health screening in relation to the type of services they access. Background. Routine women’s health screening, using mammography and Papanicolaou (Pap) testing, is known to assist in the early detection of cancer and thereby has the potential to increase positive health outcomes for women. However, traditionally, compliance rates to women’s health screening are lower than desired because of multiple barriers. Previous studies have largely been quantitative and few have been conducted in areas of low compliance to women’s health screening. Furthermore, previous research has not identified the type of service offered, or gender of the professional providing this service, as potential barriers to women’s health screening. Design. Qualitative, storytelling design. Method. Participants from a socioeconomically disadvantaged area were recruited into the study via media releases. Data were collected during conversational, face to face interviews which were between 30 and 90 minutes in duration, digitally recorded and transcribed verbatim. During the process of analysis, dominant stories became obvious through the repetition or emphasis of women's accounts, and it is these stories that are presented in the findings. Results. Findings suggest that women’s decisions about care for routine health screening are guided by three major concerns. Women are seeking a woman friendly and woman-centred service, a safe environment and continuity of care. All these factors informed women’s decision-making around where to seek care for routine health screening. Conclusions. Additional specialised women’s health services are required to meet the needs of women. The provision of accessible women-centred environments has the potential to enhance compliance with women’s health screening. Relevance to clinical practice. It is possible that generalist medical practises as well as specialised women’s health centres can provide woman-centred care. This as well as further access to education and training that supports nurses to become specialised competent and confident women’s health practitioners may enhance screening rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]