Mapping the Scientific Literature on Health Needs of Women with Same-Sex Attraction in Mainland China: A Scoping Review.

Purpose: This review study aimed to investigate how much and how well the unique health needs of women with same-sex attraction (WSSA) in mainland China have been studied. Methods: This review included published studies and gray reports between January 1, 1990, and March 31, 2022, regarding the health needs of Chinese WSSA. Chinese peer-reviewed journal articles, conference papers, theses, and dissertations were retrieved through the China National Knowledge Infrastructure. Studies with WSSA of mainland China as research participants were retrieved through PubMed, Embase, PsycInfo, LGBT Life, CINAHL, Web of Science, and International Bibliography of the Social Sciences. Gray reports were provided by two informaticists and eight Chinese WSSA who consented to be our stakeholders for consultation. Results: Of the 38 reviewed articles, unmet health needs of Chinese WSSA fell into three domains: mental health and substance abuse, sexual and reproductive health, and domestic, intimate partner, and dating violence, which were significantly associated with minority stress. Minority stigma was discovered to oppress Chinese WSSA by a covert and subtle pathway that makes Chinese WSSA culturally unintelligible and health care providers unprepared to provide them with respectful care. The barriers to the health care of Chinese WSSA were identified as health care providers' presumption of heterosexuality and Chinese WSSA's concealment of minority sexuality when discussing medical history. Conclusion: This scoping review is the first research effort to explore studies about the health needs of WSSA in mainland China. More research is needed with the guidance of minority stress theory to address the unique health needs of Chinese WSSA.