A brief intervention for prevention of sexually transmitted infection among battered women

HIV/STI Prevention Interventions for Women Who Have Experienced Intimate Partner Violence: A Systematic Review and Look at Whether the Interventions Were Designed for Disseminations

This systematic review of HIV/STI prevention interventions for women who have experienced intimate partner violence (IPV) describes the interventions characteristics, impact on HIV-related outcomes, and whether the studies were designed for dissemination. Six intervention studies met the inclusion criteria. Two studies were randomized controlled trials. The interventions consisted of between one and eight individual and/or group sessions. The interventions durations ranged from 10 minutes to 18 hours. The interventions impacts were assessed across 12 HIV-related outcomes. Two randomized control trials showed significantly fewer unprotected sexual episodes or consistent safer sex among abused women in the treatment conditions compared to the control groups. Two studies chose a delivery site for scalability purposes and three interventions were manualized. Three studies examined intervention acceptability, feasibility or fidelity. HIV/STI prevention interventions for women who have experienced IPV may be improved with randomized control designs and greater efforts to design the interventions for dissemination.

Pilot Test of an Adapted, Evidence-Based Intervention for Preventing HIV for Women Residing in Domestic Violence Shelters

This pilot study examined whether an evidence-based intervention for preventing HIV that was adapted for women residing in domestic violence shelters improved residents' HIV knowledge and condom use self-efficacy. The intervention acceptability, feasibility, and fidelity were also assessed. Seven domestic violence shelter workers facilitated the intervention to 32 shelter residents. Residents had significantly higher HIV knowledge and condom use self-efficacy after the intervention. Residents found the intervention highly acceptable. Intervention facilitators generally agreed that the intervention was acceptable and feasible. Facilitators taught the intervention mostly as suggested, but with some changes. Study implications are discussed.

HIV/STI interventions targeting women who experience forced sex: A systematic review of global literature

Women are disproportionately affected by HIV in many regions of the world and they represent the fastest growing demographic in the HIV epidemic. In addition, sexual violence against women is a global public health issue which increases women's vulnerability of HIV/STI acquisition. However, the relationship between sexual violence and HIV/STI risk are complex and contribute to the growing epidemic of women infected with HIV/STIs. Our purpose for this review is to examine existing HIV/STI interventions that target women who experience forced sex. Interventions designed to address women's unique needs in HIV/STI prevention are critical in reducing women's vulnerability to HIV/STIs.

A scoping review of the literature on nursing practices with persons seeking care for sexually transmitted infections

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To examine existing research literature to ascertain what is known about nursing practice in sexually transmitted infection care and identify promising research trends and limitations.

BACKGROUND

Sexually transmitted infections continue to be a significant public health concern with more than 357 million new cases occurring annually worldwide. Nurses are vital for the prevention and care of those affected by sexually transmitted infections. As nursing scope of practice is evolving, there is an urgent need to develop a baseline understanding of the state of nursing knowledge in sexually transmitted infection care.

DESIGN

Nurse researchers and policy and practice experts conducted a scoping review of primary research using Arksey and O'Malley's five-step methodological framework.

METHODS

Primary research literature published between 2000-2014 was searched. Seventeen full-text papers were thematically analysed. Electronic charts were created for data coding and extraction.

RESULTS

The research literature in nursing and sexually transmitted infection care is heterogeneous in topic, method and populations investigated. Sexually transmitted infection care is undertaken by nurses in diverse settings and roles including nurse practitioners and public health, school and emergency room nurses. Three themes that illustrate the main focus of current literature were identified: (1) screening, (2) health education and counselling and (3) scope of nursing practice. Inconsistencies in nursing practice activities in sexually transmitted infection care were noted. Many nurses are not working to their full scope of practice.

CONCLUSIONS

The research in sexually transmitted infection nursing practice is limited. Further research is needed to investigate the context of practice and patient care experiences; to design and test interventions to support nurses working to full scope of practice; and to improve the conceptualisation of nursing in sexually transmitted infection care.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Nurses are effectively improving health outcomes among people affected by sexually transmitted infections; however, not working to the full scope of practice could limit our capacity to fully meet patient care needs.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2015 Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Recommendations for Sexually Assaulted Patients: A Review and Update

Individuals who have been sexually assaulted are at risk for contracting human papillomavirus (HPV), the most common sexually transmitted infection. One of the best methods in protecting against contracting the HPV is to receive the HPV vaccine. To date, national sexual assault protocols and guidelines do not include information on HPV vaccination. The current 2015 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has updated their recommendations for sexually assaulted patients to now receive the HPV vaccine. This article reviews information on HPV, HPV vaccines, and specific considerations for patients who have been sexually assaulted.

The efficacy of cognitive behavioural therapy and advocacy interventions for women who have experienced intimate partner violence: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To determine the efficacy of Advocacy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy interventions (CBT) in reducing physical, psychological, sexual, or any intimate partner violence (IPV).

METHODS

A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted using randomized control trials (RCTs) published in MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Scopus, Cochrane, and Clinical trials. The occurrence of physical, psychological, sexual, and/or any IPV measured efficacy.

RESULTS

Twelve RCTs involving 2666 participants were included. Advocacy interventions resulted in significant reductions in physical (standardized mean difference (SMD) -0.13; 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.25, -0.00) and psychological (SMD -0.19; 95% CI -0.32, -0.05) but not in sexual (SMD -0.20; 95% CI -0.43, 0.02) or any IPV (SMD -0.32; 95% CI -0.69, 0.04). CBT interventions showed a significant reduction in physical (SMD -0.79; 95% CI -1.26, -0.33) and psychological (SMD -0.80; 95% CI -1.25, -0.36) but not sexual (SMD -0.35; 95% CI -1.73, 1.03) or any IPV (SMD 0.09; 95% CI -0.05, 0.23).

CONCLUSIONS

Both advocacy and CBT interventions reduced physical and psychological IPV but not sexual or any IPV. Limitations include the low number of studies and the heterogeneity of interventions.

Primary care-based interventions for intimate partner violence: a systematic review

CONTEXT

Primary care providers are uniquely positioned to respond to patients' disclosure of intimate partner violence (IPV). However, the research on primary care-based IPV interventions has not been systematically synthesized, making it difficult for providers, policymakers, and researchers to understand how to effectively intervene in the primary care setting. This systematic review summarizes primary care-based interventions for patients experiencing IPV.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

PubMed, PsycINFO, and CINAHL were searched from their start through September 2012; this search was augmented by bibliographic review and consultation with experts. Eligible studies included English-language, peer-reviewed articles that assessed patient-level impact of IPV interventions that originated from patients' visits to a primary care provider.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

Of 80 potentially eligible studies, 17 met eligibility criteria. The majority of interventions recruited women from reproductive care sites. Interventions tended to be brief, delivered by nonphysicians, and focused on empowerment, empathetic listening, discussion of the cycle of violence and safety, and referral to community-based resources. Thirteen studies demonstrated at least one intervention-related benefit. Six of 11 articles measuring IPV persistence found reductions in future violence; two of five measuring safety-promoting behaviors found increases; and six of ten measuring IPV/community resource referrals found enhanced use. Some studies also documented health improvements.

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of studies demonstrated patient-level benefit subsequent to primary care IPV interventions, with IPV/community referrals the most common positively affected outcome.

Successful research recruitment strategies in a study focused on abused rural women at risk for sexually transmitted infections

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this article is to describe the successful recruitment methods of a study focused on a pilot intervention for rural women who were experiencing abuse and who also were at risk for sexually transmitted infections. Initial recruitment into the study was the primary challenge, and strategies to overcome recruitment difficulties are discussed.

METHODS

Eighty-seven women were screened, and 20 women were recruited from clinics into a 1-group pretest/posttest pilot study. The main inclusion criterion for the intervention was a past-year history of intimate partner violence (IPV).

RESULTS

After 1 month of recruitment, only 10 women agreed to be screened for IPV. Several creative strategies were utilized in the revision of the recruitment plan, with the most successful being knitting by the research staff and incentives to participants for screening. An additional 77 women agreed to be screened for study participation within 3 months of implementing the recruitment changes.

DISCUSSION

Personal involvement by the research staff and a nonthreatening and welcoming environment were necessary components for timely recruitment. Researcher flexibility and reevaluation allowed for changes to the recruitment plan that ultimately proved successful.