Introduction
ACON and Cancer Institute NSW established a 5-year partnership to address cancer-related health inequities of LGBTQ+ people in NSW. Limited evidence shows LGBTQ+ people have higher prevalence of smoking and alcohol consumption, and barriers to accessing support services due to a range of factors.
Aim
This research explored NSW LGBTQ+ people’s knowledge, beliefs, attitudes, and behaviours around smoking and alcohol consumption. Findings inform the partnership’s projects and measure outcomes.
Methods
A mixed-methods study was conducted including qualitative research with three focus groups and six in-depth interviews (40 participants) and a quantitative online survey (n=781).
Results
Mental health is central in the overall health and social connection of LGBTQ+ people. 85% had experienced stress/anxiety. This affects access to mainstream health services due to stress/anxiety around ‘coming out’ to healthcare providers and fear of discrimination and stigma.
Mental health influences the uptake and continuation of smoking and alcohol consumption. They are perceived coping methods for stress/anxiety and are engrained in LGBTQ+ social occasions.
80% of people who smoke had previously tried to quit. 58% of current smokers were seriously considering quitting smoking in the next six months. Cessation messaging that demonstrates empathy, is encouraging, and highlights the benefits of quitting had the highest perceived effectiveness and salience.
Alcohol helped respondents relax and deal with stress/anxiety (49%) and gave them a sense of confidence in social situations (47%). On average, respondents reported drinking 7.9 standard units of alcohol/week. 61% of survey respondents felt their drinking was not harmful to their health. A quarter believed their alcohol consumption was harmful. Cancer was the least likely identified potential risk from alcohol.
Conclusions
There is a need and opportunity for targeted campaigns to increase awareness of cancer risks and promote culturally appropriate behaviour change supports among LGBTQ+ people.
Ethics
Sydney University 2020/222 and ACON 2020/08