Examining the Attitudes and Behaviors of Health-care Providers Toward LGBT Patients in Lebanon

J Homosex. 2020 Nov 9;67(13):1902-1919. doi: 10.1080/00918369.2019.1616431. Epub 2019 May 24.

Abstract

The present cross-sectional descriptive study examined the attitudes and behaviors of health-care providers toward LGBT patients in Lebanon. Participants (N = 141) generally showed positive attitudes and behaviors toward LGBT patients. Mental health providers were significantly less likely to believe that homosexuality is a mental health disorder or that it is unnatural to identify with a gender identity other than one's biological sex when compared to non-mental health providers. Mental health providers were also more likely to be willing to address transgender people by their gender pronouns, and to believe that homosexuality is a natural variation on the sexual orientation spectrum when compared to non-mental health providers. Findings show favorable attitudes and behaviors of health-care providers toward LGBT individuals when compared to previous investigations in Lebanon. Implications on the educational, research, and policy levels are discussed.

Keywords: Attitudes; LGBT health; Lebanon; behaviors; health-care providers.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Attitude of Health Personnel*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Homosexuality*
  • Humans
  • Lebanon
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Sexual and Gender Minorities*
  • Transgender Persons