Attitudes of Health Workers in Taiwan and Singapore Towards Sexual Minority Groups: A Scoping Review

Abstract

Background: Health workers are social beings who have personal perceptions and opinions about standards of sexual normality. Sexual minorities are vulnerable in accessing health services. Minority groups in Singapore are considered as criminals and are not generally accepted by society and health workers such as doctors. Whereas in Taiwan, although the government has legalized same-sex marriage, minority groups still experience rejection by the community and health workers such as nurses. This is due to stigma, homophobia and heterosexism. Aim: Reviewing literature that discusses health workers' attitudes of sexual minorities in providing health services. Methods: Preparation of the scoping review according to the framework of H. Arksey & L. O'Malley.  Results: Based on 3 selected articles with a cross sectional study design. The results of the study revealed themes that were grouped based on the factors supporting positive attitudes and causing negative attitudes of health workers in Taiwan and Singapore towards homosexuality. Conclusion: Health workers have two different attitudes towards sexual minority groups; health workers who have a positive attitude supported by adherence to the code of ethics, level of social tolerance, and religiosity status of health workers. And health workers who have a negative attitude caused by education level and age, religious status, and socio-demographic factors.