Love My Body: Pilot Study to Understand Reproductive Health Vulnerabilities in Adolescent Girls

Abstract

Background Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are on the rise in the United States, and adolescent girls (15-19 years old) are more susceptible to acquiring STIs than their male peers. The co-occurrence of alcohol use and sexual risk taking contribute significantly to STI acquisition. Mobile health (mHealth) interventions are ideally suited for our target population and have demonstrated increases in STI testing in young people, as well as reductions in alcohol use. Objective This pilot study used both qualitative and quantitative methods to explore the views of adolescent girls (age range 15-19 years old; 74.6%, 279/374 white) on the desired qualities and content of an mHealth app for sexual health. Methods We conducted nine 60-min in-depth interviews (IDIs) to gather information and identify themes of sexual health and alcohol use, and we tested the feasibility of using a two-week social media campaign to collect survey information regarding sexual health risk in adolescent girls. Results We iteratively coded IDIs and identified major themes around pressure of alcohol use, lack of STI knowledge, male pressure to not use condoms, and pregnancy as a worse outcome than STIs. Results from the web-based survey on risky health behaviors, which was completed by 367 participants, support the use of a sexual health app designed for girls. Conclusions Future work will integrate these themes to inform the development of a culturally sensitive mHealth app to prevent STIs among adolescent girls.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Partner Relationships and Sexual and Reproductive Health: Cross-Sectional, Online Survey Study

“…So far, there is little report about the effects of COVID-19 on sexual and reproductive health [ 9 , 10 ]. Sexually active young people are facing more and more health challenges globally [ 11 , 12 ], and various aspects of their reproductive and sexual health may be affected by COVID-19. On the one hand, many young people are facing economic and psychological pressures caused by job loss or suspension of schooling.…”

Prevention of alcohol related harm though preconception care: A scoping review of barriers and enablers

“…Of the 23 included articles ( Table 2 ), three solely involved health professionals [ [20] , [21] , [22] ]. A further five elicited the attitudes and beliefs of HCPs and women within the same study [ [23] , [24] , [25] , [26] , [27] ], and 15 solely involved women [ [28] , [29] , [30] , [31] , [32] , [33] , [34] , [35] , [36] , [37] , [38] , [39] , [40] , [41] , [42] ].…”

“…The studies were published between 1987 and 2021 with 20 in the last 10 years. Ten were carried out in the USA [ [23] , [24] , [25] , 29 , 30 , 32 , 38 , [40] , [41] , [42] ]; four the UK [ 22 , 26 , 33 , 35 ]; two in Australia [ 20 , 31 ]; and two in Sweden [ 36 , 39 ]. Single studies were carried out in India [ 28 ]; Brazil [ 37 ]; Canada [ 21 ]; the Netherlands [ 27 ] and Nigeria [ 34 ].…”

“…Studies gathered data through in-depth interviews [ 35 ]; focus groups [ 28 , 32 , 33 , 39 , 40 ] or questionnaires [ [20] , [21] , [22] , 27 , 29 , 31 , 34 , [36] , [37] , [38] , 41 , 42 ]. Eight used mixed-methods which involved focus groups and interviews [ [23] , [24] , [25] ] or questionnaires and interviews [ 26 , 30 ].…”

“…The studies involved a diverse range of health and social care professionals: general medical practitioners, health visitors, practice nurses, nurse managers, sexual health specialist nurses, midwives, physicians from obstetrics, gynaecology and paediatrics and social service professionals. Studies primarily involved adult women or adolescents during preconception [ [23] , [24] , [25] , [28] , [29] , [30] , 32 , 36 , 38 , [39] , [40] , [41] ]. Five involved adolescents or women who were pregnant but the preconception period was the topic enquired about [ 26 , 34 , 35 , 37 , 42 ] and three involved men and women [ 27 , 31 , 33 ].…”