'Taking Care': A qualitative study of emerging adult-aged women's sexual and reproductive health definitions.

OBJECTIVE: Emerging adult-aged (EA;18-25 years) women have disproportionately high rates of unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections compared to other women of reproductive age. Little is known about how EA women define and prioritize various aspects of sexual and reproductive health. The purpose of this study was to identify EA women determined definitions of sexual and reproductive health. METHODS: Between September 2019 and September 2020, 13 women were interviewed about their sexual and reproductive health. Interview transcripts were used to conduct qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: Definitions provided by participants were grouped according to three distinct thematic categories, Being Safe, Healthcare as a Tool, and Mind-Body Connection. Being Safe included using condoms and taking steps to prevent sexually transmitted infections. Healthcare as a Tool referred to utilization of healthcare services (e.g., an annual exam) to manage sexual and reproductive health. Mind-Body Connection included acknowledgement of both the physical and mental aspects of sexual and reproductive health, as well as awareness of physical and emotional discomfort related to it. These categories highlight EA women's holistic definitions of sexual and reproductive health. CONCLUSIONS: Healthcare providers and researchers can use the holistic sexual and reproductive health definitions endorsed by EA women in this study as a starting point for creating and delivering sexual and reproductive healthcare and counseling that is developmentally appropriate and sensitive to population-specific needs.

Development of an HIV/STI and partner violence health promotion intervention for abused US Virgin Islands women.

Women in the US Virgin Islands (USVI) experience intimate partner violence (IPV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) at disproportionate rates compared to women on the US mainland. Women in violent relationships report experiencing controlling behaviours that decrease their ability to negotiate for sex using condoms or to prevent unwanted pregnancies. Though several evidence-based interventions exist to prevent either IPV or HIV, few address them through an integrated health promotion approach or attend to particular USVI cultural mores. This article describes the systematic development of a theory based, culturally tailored, integrated health promotion intervention that addresses IPV and HIV among USVI women experiencing abuse. The process included: (i) identifying and integrating evidence-based health promotion interventions, (ii) conducting formative research using focus groups, (iii) synthesizing focus group data to inform intervention development and (iv) developing a culturally and linguistically appropriate intervention specific to the needs and concerns of USVI women. The Empowered Sisters Project: Making Choices Reducing Risks (ESP) was developed through this research. ESP is a three-session health promotion curriculum focussed on enhancing sexual health and safety among women experiencing abuse. The ESP intervention components included promoting condom use, increasing IPV and HIV knowledge and developing a personalized safety plan. Health professionals facilitated individual intervention sessions using culturally tailored visual media and scripts. This program focussed on experiences of women living in the USVI and has implications for utility across the Caribbean diaspora.

Passport to Freedom: A Trauma-Informed Mindfulness Program for Previously Incarcerated Women.

Poly-victimization is often reported by formerly incarcerated women and leads to physical and mental health problems that interfere with daily functioning, sustained employment, and housing stability. Although reentry programs exist, few focus on the physical and emotional impact of multiple traumas. Passport to Freedom (P2F), a woman-centered, trauma-informed reentry program, was developed to support formerly incarcerated women. The pilot intervention, performed in 2017, focused on the connections between trauma and health, coping with symptoms, and managing one's own health. To examine the effectiveness and feasibility of the intervention, we performed the current mixed methods study with two phases: (1) focus groups, and (2) sessions combining mindfulness and health promotion activities with follow-up evaluations. Participants (N = 24) showed decreased symptoms of depression and concerns of everyday stressors after the intervention. Of participants, 84% (n = 16) reported practicing mindfulness and 63% (n = 8) stated that mindfulness exercises helped with daily stress management. The P2F program offers a promising approach to support formerly incarcerated women with health self-management. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, xx(xx), xx-xx.].