Rosa M. Gonzalez-Guarda

Sexual violence in the college population: a systematic review of disclosure and campus resources and services

AIMS AND OBJECTIVESnTo synthesise research examining college student sexual violence disclosure and campus sexual violence resources and services.nnnBACKGROUNDnRecently, the issue of sexual violence within the college population has garnered attention worldwide. The prevalence of sexual violence within college students is alarmingly high. Survivors often experience negative outcomes (e.g. health-related consequences, impact on education). Efforts have been made to address this significant public health concern.nnnDESIGNnSystematic review of published literature.nnnMETHODSnStudies were identified through systematic searches of PubMed, CINAHL and PsycInfo of articles published between January 2010-February 2015. A total of 672 articles were identified. After screening, 16 articles were included in this review.nnnRESULTSnA lack of consistency in how sexual violence was referred to and measured was identified. Research on college student sexual violence disclosure has primarily been conducted in six areas: (1) informal disclosure, (2) formal disclosure, (3) friends perceptions of disclosure, (4) process/effects of disclosure on the survivor, (5) barriers to disclosure and (6) social support in the disclosure process. Research related to campus sexual violence resources and services has primarily focused on: (1) students knowledge, (2) students utilization and (3) students suggestions. Synthesised findings are presented.nnnCONCLUSIONSnSexual violence impacts college student survivors and the campus community as a whole. To appropriately assist/address sexual violence, a thorough understanding of college student sexual violence disclosure and campus sexual violence resources/services is necessary. Suggestions for researchers, colleges and nurses are provided.nnnRELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICEnNurses who serve students, especially those at on-campus student health centres, are opportunely placed to address sexual violence. Findings highlight the need for nurses to use consistent definitions of sexual violence when identifying survivors. Nurses should take measures to increase disclosure and promote sexual violence resources/services provided by their facility. Additional suggestions for nurses are provided.

Advancing Nursing Science Through Community Advisory Boards : Working Effectively Across Diverse Communities

The movement toward community-engaged research is well aligned with nursings strong tradition of engaging individuals, families, and communities in designing and evaluating nursing care. As such, nurse scientists should consider engaging the recipients of care in the research process. Community advisory boards are a common way in which communities are engaged in research. The purpose of this article is to provide a framework for effectively working with community advisory boards in diverse communities that is informed by evidence and experiences of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Nurse Faculty Scholars. Recommendations can serve as a blueprint for nurse scientists as they engage communities in research promoting health equity.

Increasing the pipeline and diversity of doctorally prepared nurses: Description and preliminary evaluation of a health disparities summer research program

Despite calls to increase the number and diversity of doctorally prepared nurses, recent data indicate a severe shortage of PhD-prepared nurses, especially those of racial/ethnic minority backgrounds. This is concerning, given that evidence indicates that racial/ethnic minority PhD-prepared nurses are well-positioned to address health disparities, by attending to the needs/concerns of medically underrepresented groups. The purpose of this article is to describe and provide a preliminary evaluation of a summer research program for minority nursing students. Online surveys were administered to assess for student satisfaction, knowledge gains, attitudes toward research, and intentions to pursue a PhD among minority undergraduate nursing students (Nxa0=xa06) participating in the 10-week program. Favorable trends were observed related to satisfaction, knowledge gains, and attitudes toward research. Fifty percent of the sample intended to pursue a PhD immediately after the program, compared to none before the program, and this result was maintained at 1-year post-program. The summer research program appears to be a promising strategy for increasing the number/diversity of PhD-prepared nurses. More research on the implementation of programs exposing minority nursing students to health disparities research is needed to strengthen evidence that similar programs can serve to increase the pipeline of diverse doctorally prepared nurses.

On the Road to Health Equity: Incorporating Culture into Research

The increased mobility of people between and within countries throughout history has contributed to the diversification of populations worldwide. Despite the recent worldwide economic crisis, migration to both Northern and Southern regions in the world and from rural to urban areas has reached all-time highs (United Nations 2013). As a result, local communities have become increasingly diverse with individuals within these communities representing a myriad of races, ethnic groups, countries of origin, languages, religions, socioeconomic strata, histories, and lived experiences. n nThis article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

College Students’ Perspectives on Campus Health Centers as a Sexual Assault Resource: A Qualitative Analysis

Students perspectives of student health centers as a resource for sexual violence were examined. A qualitative, descriptive research design was used. Data were collected from 37 female undergraduate students in March 2016. Four focus groups were conducted and analyzed using thematic analysis techniques. Three themes emerged: (a) supports and barriers to using student health centers for sexual violence; (b) student health centers responsibility to educate students about sexual violence; and (c) student health centers responsibility to use campus-wide, comprehensive sexual violence efforts. Participants provided several recommendations to assist student health centers with addressing sexual violence. To maximize utility as an on-campus sexual violence resource, student health centers should foster a climate that is supportive of students use of the facility and tailor their efforts to address students needs. Student health center recommendations and suggestions for future research are provided.

Health education needs of intimate partner violence survivors: Perspectives from female survivors and social service providers

OBJECTIVEnTo explore the health education needs and learning preferences of female intimate partner violence (IPV) survivors in a social service agency located in South Florida, United States.nnnDESIGN AND SAMPLEnAn exploratory two-phase sequential mixed-methods study was completed through semistructured interviews with social service providers (nxa0=xa010), followed by a survey with predominately female IPV survivors (nxa0=xa0122, 98.4%).nnnMEASURESnData obtained from interviews with social service providers were analyzed through conventional thematic content analysis. Data from interviews were used in developing a health survey completed by IPV survivors and analyzed utilizing descriptive statistics, chi-square tests and t tests.nnnRESULTSnThree themes emerged from interviews including multidimensional health needs, navigating barriers to health care, and self-improvement specific to survivors of intimate partner violence. Survey results indicated that depression and self-esteem were the health education needs of highest priority. Demographic characteristics, including age and language use, were significantly associated to preferred methods of learning, pxa0<xa0.05.nnnCONCLUSIONSnIPV survivors present with various health education needs. Current study findings can inform public health nurses in developing interventions or health-based programs for female IPV survivors in social service agency settings.

Evaluation of a nursing student health fair program: Meeting curricular standards and improving community members' health

BACKGROUNDnPublic health nursing (PHN) is an essential component of baccalaureate nursing education. In order to build PHN competencies, universities must design and operationalize meaningful clinical activities addressing community and population health. Currently, there is a paucity of literature delineating best practices for promoting competency in PHN.nnnAIMSnThe purpose of this manuscript is to describe a PHN-student health fair program as a means for meeting undergraduate PHN curricular standards, and to report results of an evaluation conducted examining its effectiveness in improving community members health knowledge.nnnMETHODSnHealth fairs were held at community agencies that served the homeless or victims of intimate partner violence. A total of 113 community members that attended a health fair were assessed at baseline and immediate posttest using open-ended questionnaires. The design of the health fairs included a community assessment, intervention, and evaluation flow that followed the nursing process.nnnRESULTSnWe report that results from participants surveyed indicated that PHN-student delivered health fairs improved health knowledge among community members in this sample (pxa0=xa0.000).nnnCONCLUSIONnHealth fairs conducted by PHN students appear to be promising community health promotion and disease prevention interventions that can serve as an effective strategy for teaching PHN student competencies and facilitating engagement with the community.

Childhood Abuse and Adulthood IPV, Depression, and High-Risk Drinking in Latinas

Abstract Little is known about relationships between child maltreatment and adulthood intimate partner violence (IPV), depression, and risky drinking in Latinas. 548 Latinas in a sexual health randomized control trial (RCT) self-reported childhood physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, IPV, depression, and risky drinking. Childhood abuse was related to adulthood IPV, ORu2009=u20091.27, depression, ORu2009=u20092.02, and high-risk drinking, ORu2009=u20092.16. Childhood emotional abuse was linked to depression, ORu2009=u20092.19; childhood physical abuse to risky drinking, ORu2009=u20092.62; and childhood sexual abuse to depression, ORu2009=u20092.78 and risky drinking, ORu2009=u20092.38. Results may inform prevention/intervention efforts for mental health nurses.

Evaluating a Culturally Tailored HIV Risk Reduction Intervention Among Hispanic Women Delivered in a Real-World Setting by Community Agency Personnel:

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of Salud, Educación, Prevención, y Autocuidad/Health, Education, Prevention and Self-care (SEPA) to increase human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/sexually transmitted infections (STI) prevention behaviors for Hispanic women delivered in a real-world setting. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Setting: Participants were recruited from the Miami Refugee Center, the Florida Department of Health, and public locations in Miami. Participants: Three hundred twenty Hispanic women. Intervention: The SEPA is a culturally tailored intervention developed to address HIV/STI risk behaviors among Hispanic women. The SEPA intervention consisted of three 2.5 hour sessions per week conducted with small groups. The SEPA sessions consisted of group discussions, role playing, negotiation skills, partner communication, and skills building as part of the methodology. Measures: Acculturation, HIV/STI risk behaviors, HIV knowledge, partner communication, intimate partner violence, drug/alcohol use, condom use. Analysis: Differences at baseline by group were assessed using Wilcoxon rank sum test, χ2, and a negative-binomial model. Changes in dependent variables, compared to baseline, were analyzed in separate models. Log-binomial models and negative binomial models were used for dichotomous and count/rate-type dependent variables. Results: Significant outcome improvements were observed in the SEPA group at 6 and 12 months follow-up. The adjusted prevalence of any condom use was 30% and 37% higher at each follow-up. The adjusted prevalence of answering 10/12 HIV knowledge questions correctly rose by 57% and 63% at each follow-up. Intimate partner violence was significantly lower at each subsequent time point (62% and 41% of baseline). Moderate depressive symptoms were reduced to 50% and 42%, getting drunk was reduced to 20% and 30%, and condom use self-efficacy was significantly higher (84% and 96%). Conclusion: The SEPA intervention reduced HIV/STI risk-related behaviors when delivered in a real-world setting. The results suggest that SEPA can be implemented in various settings to reach Hispanic women, and that SEPA could reach large numbers of women in an efficient, cost-effective way.

The Influence of Relationship Power and Partner Communication on the Syndemic Factor among Hispanic Women

BACKGROUNDnThis study expands research on the substance abuse, intimate partner violence, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and depression syndemic theory for Hispanic women. We hypothesized relationship power and partner communication would be related to the syndemic.nnnMETHODSnData were used from the baseline assessment of an effectiveness trial of SEPA (Salud/Health, Educación/Education, Prevención/Prevention, and Autocuidado/Self-care), an HIV/sexually transmitted infection risk reduction program for Hispanic women. Hispanic adult women (nxa0=xa0320) completed measures (in Spanish or English) of relationship power, partner communication about HIV, and acculturation. The syndemic was defined with a factor model of substance abuse, intimate partner violence, risk for HIV/sexually transmitted infection, and depression using structural equation modeling.nnnRESULTSnControlling for acculturation and education, relationship power was inversely related to the syndemic factor (βxa0=xa0-0.49, pxa0<xa0.001), but partner communication was not (βxa0=xa00.14, pxa0=xa0.054). Acculturation and education were also related to the syndemic factor. These variables combined accounted for more than one-half (53%) of the variance in the syndemic factor.nnnCONCLUSIONSnFindings suggest the need to develop and test interventions that address the power dynamics of intimate relationships as a means of reducing health disparities among Hispanic women.