Pencarian Maklumat Kesihatan Dalam Kalangan Transgender dan Lelaki Homoseksual di Kuala Lumpur dan Kota Kinabalu

Abstract

Transgender people and homosexual men are a significant key population in health information dissemination programmes. However, these groups of people are not given enough attention due to various reasons such as discrimination and stigma. Therefore, it is imperative for health service providers to understand the barriers, needs, and information-seeking processes among these groups. This study utilised a qualitative approach to explore the experiences of transgender people and homosexual men concerning health information-seeking in two selected localities, Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu. An in-depth interview was used, and informants were selected using the snowball technique. Study findings indicated that informants obtained health information from various sources. The types of health information sought and various channels used are following their needs and capabilities. In addition, transgender and homosexual men also voiced their opinions on the latest health information that is considered helpful for their current and future needs. However, their efforts to obtain health information were hindered due to a lack of public acceptance of their way of life that deviated from societal norms. Furthermore, it indirectly affected their self-worth, such as the emergence of anxiety, shame towards self, and feelings of isolation. The three factors indirectly showed the difficulties for the critical population to seek health information openly.