Let's tok about s3x: Patterns and possibilities of utilizing TikTok to improve LGBTQ+ sexual health

Only 10 of the 38 states that mandate sexual education require LGBTQ+ inclusive content while three require negative information on homosexuality and positive emphasis on heterosexuality. These mandates translate into knowledge gaps with significant implications for LGBTQ+ persons assigned female at birth (AFAB). Previous research has shown that LGBTQ+ women have more negative sexual health experiences and are more likely to access abortions and emergency contraception. Due to the lack of representation in traditional sexual education, LGBTQ+ persons AFAB seek out sexual health information from online sources at higher rates than their heterosexual counterparts. The aim of this study is to understand how LGBTQ+ AFAB individuals who are emerging adults (age 18-29) utilize online resources, particularly social media platforms and short-form video, to fill sexual health knowledge gaps. Further, the study aims to understand how people access this information, what resources are most widely-used, and perceptions of the accessed information in order to inform an accessible social-media based education intervention. Qualitative data were collected through one-on-one interviews with participants (n=26). Interview questions consisted of demographic information, past sex education experiences, use of online and offline sources to find new sexual health information, and general sexual health knowledge. This poster will include a presentation of findings from qualitative data analysis. Sexual minority women and gender minority persons AFAB continue to report higher rates of negative sexual health experiences. We aim to use qualitative data to better understand the sexual health experiences of LGBTQ+ persons AFAB and build an accessible, cost effective intervention to address disparities in sexual and reproductive health.