School nurses are often sources of health-care support for teens with sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unintended pregnancies. However, providing prevention (e.g., condoms) and teaching technical skills (e.g., condom use) needed to reduce high-risk sexual behavior may require a change in perceptions and policies. This study used a cross-sectional study design to assess nurses’ perceptions of condom availability accompanied by sex education programs among high school nurses ( n = 87) in Kansas. Results showed that school nurses in this study supported condom availability, were comfortable providing condoms, and felt condom availability was within the scope of their job but were less likely to provide condoms because of external barriers. Common barriers include administration, parents, cost, community support, and policies. School nurses, by virtue of their access to the majority of Kansas’ adolescents, have the potential to provide sex education and tools such as condoms, so young people can prevent STIs and unintended pregnancies.
Performance Subdivision and assists health department programs with data collection, analysis, and program evaluation and provides technical assistance to the fetal and infant mortality review group of Sedgwick County. He is interested in mindfulness interventions, particularly pertaining to post-traumatic stress disorder, and trauma-informed systems of care. Dan is also an organizer for the HomeFront Initiative, a community-based program that uses veterans to teach mind-body self-care and leadership skills to other veterans and first responders in the Wichita community.
Introduction. Psychological distress affects up to 25% of pregnant women and contributes to poor birth outcomes. This project aimed to triangulate themes from interviews with low-income pregnant or postpartum women, primary care providers and mental health providers regarding knowledge of and barriers to mental health services in the perinatal period.
Methods. Study personnel conducted interviews in Sedgwick County, Kansas until saturation of themes within each group. Thirty-three interviews were transcribed, independently reviewed using grounded theory and themes were stratified using the social-ecological model framework.
Results. Individual level themes including cost/lack of insurance and transportation were consistent across groups, however women only identified barriers at this level. Consistent themes across provider groups included lack of support at the interpersonal level; poor communication between providers at the organizational level; and Medicaid limitations at the public policy level.
Conclusions. Multi-level interventions are needed to improve access to mental health care for low-income women in the perinatal period.
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