Female warfighters' perceptions of urogenital health in operational settings.
Adult
Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal
/ diagnosis
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Humans
Hygiene
/ standards
Incidence
Military Personnel
/ psychology
Narration
Nurse's Role
Perception
Qualitative Research
Self-Testing
United States
/ epidemiology
Urinary Tract Infections
/ diagnosis
Urogenital System
Vaginosis, Bacterial
/ diagnosis
Warfare
Journal
Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners
ISSN: 2327-6924
Titre abrégé: J Am Assoc Nurse Pract
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 101600770
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
Nov 2020
Nov 2020
Historique:
entrez:
12
11
2020
pubmed:
13
11
2020
medline:
30
6
2021
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
An increased incidence in hygiene-related urogenital infections (bacterial vaginitis, vulvovaginal candidiasis, and urinary tract) has been reported in female warfighters serving in austere environments with decreased availability of water and sanitation resources, and when personal safety outweighs concerns for hygiene. Knowledge and access to an innovative kit designed for the female warfighter to self-test, self-identify, and self-treat common urogenital symptoms is critical to force health. The purpose of this descriptive, cross-sectional, exploratory qualitative study was to explore female warfighters': 1) confidence in seeking sex-specific health care in field and deployment environments and 2) acceptance and willingness to self-test, self-identify, and self-treat urogenital symptoms and infections. Qualitative data for this thematic analysis were collected during administration of the Military Women's Readiness Urogenital Health Questionnaire. Participants provided open-ended comments associated with three survey questions. Braun and Clarke's inductive thematic analysis method guided the narrative analysis. Our sample included a diverse group of US Army women (USAW; n = 152) from a large, military installation. Narratives and themes demonstrate USAW's desire and need for the availability of a self-test and self-treatment kit. Access, time, mission, and prevention of self-harm by quicker resolve of symptoms are cited as key reasons in support of such a kit. Nurse practitioners (NPs) are ideally positioned to provide sex-specific educational interventions and anticipatory guidance that supports physical health, to include urogenital conditions. As urogenital self-testing becomes available for female warfighters, NPs are the model healthcare provider for educating women on their use.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
An increased incidence in hygiene-related urogenital infections (bacterial vaginitis, vulvovaginal candidiasis, and urinary tract) has been reported in female warfighters serving in austere environments with decreased availability of water and sanitation resources, and when personal safety outweighs concerns for hygiene. Knowledge and access to an innovative kit designed for the female warfighter to self-test, self-identify, and self-treat common urogenital symptoms is critical to force health.
PURPOSE
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this descriptive, cross-sectional, exploratory qualitative study was to explore female warfighters': 1) confidence in seeking sex-specific health care in field and deployment environments and 2) acceptance and willingness to self-test, self-identify, and self-treat urogenital symptoms and infections.
METHODOLOGICAL ORIENTATION
UNASSIGNED
Qualitative data for this thematic analysis were collected during administration of the Military Women's Readiness Urogenital Health Questionnaire. Participants provided open-ended comments associated with three survey questions. Braun and Clarke's inductive thematic analysis method guided the narrative analysis.
SAMPLE
METHODS
Our sample included a diverse group of US Army women (USAW; n = 152) from a large, military installation.
RESULTS
RESULTS
Narratives and themes demonstrate USAW's desire and need for the availability of a self-test and self-treatment kit. Access, time, mission, and prevention of self-harm by quicker resolve of symptoms are cited as key reasons in support of such a kit.
CONCLUSIONS AND PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS
CONCLUSIONS
Nurse practitioners (NPs) are ideally positioned to provide sex-specific educational interventions and anticipatory guidance that supports physical health, to include urogenital conditions. As urogenital self-testing becomes available for female warfighters, NPs are the model healthcare provider for educating women on their use.
Identifiants
pubmed: 33177334
doi: 10.1097/JXX.0000000000000534
pii: 01741002-202011000-00004
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Pagination
729-737Références
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