Examining relationship/family planning factors and sexual relationship power among immigrant Latino couples in the United States

Interpartner Concordance on Relationship Quality and Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Young Pregnant and Parenting Couples

BACKGROUND

This study examined agreement between partners on perceptions of relationship quality and its impact on later (sexually transmitted infection [STI]) diagnosis in a sample of pregnant (adolescents and young adults [AYAs]) couples.

METHODS

Two hundred ninety-six AYA couples completed structured surveys on relationship quality (satisfaction, cohesion, consensus, affectional expression) and STI diagnosis. An actor-partner interdependence model was used to assess actor effects (whether an individual's perceived relationship quality influenced their getting STI), partner effects (whether a partner's perceived relationship quality influenced the individual getting an STI), and interactive effects (whether an individual's perceived relationship quality interacted with a partner's perceived relationship quality and influenced in the individual getting an STI).

RESULTS

No significant actor or partner effects were observed for positive STI screen. However, there was a significant interaction between actor and partner satisfaction (B = -0.47, exp(B) = 0.63 [95% confidence interval, 0.43-0.93], P = 0.020). When actor satisfaction was high, greater partner satisfaction was associated with lower odds of a positive STI screen at 12 months. A significant interaction between actor and partner affectional expression was also found (B = -4.40, exp(B) = 0.01 [95% confidence interval, 0.00-0.87], P = 0.043). When partner affectional expression was high, greater actor affectional expression was associated with lower odds of a positive STI screen at 12 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings suggest that concordant reports of relationship satisfaction and affectional expression are protective against future STI risk. Strengthening romantic relationships may be a promising strategy for preventing STIs in pregnant/parenting AYA couples.

Recruitment of Immigrant Hispanic Mothers in Research: An Application of the EERC Guidelines

Introduction: Innovative and culturally sensitive strategies are needed to promote research participation among minorities and develop targeted interventions aimed at decreasing health disparities. The purpose of this article is to illustrate application of the EERC (evaluate, engage, reflect, and carefully match) guidelines in facilitating participant recruitment in a study exploring infant feeding practices of Hispanic mothers. Methodology: Retrospective application of the EERC guidelines assessed using data extracted from the researcher-study recruitment field notes. A systematic categorical process was used to determine if each of the guidelines' key concepts were incorporated in the recruitment process. Results: Successful recruitment of 62 immigrant Hispanic mothers (approximately 82% of target goal) was accomplished through implementation of most of EERC criteria (90%) in planning and recruitment phases of the study. Discussion: Application of EERC guidelines facilitates recruitment of minority populations. Enhanced participant recruitment assists in assessment of population-unique conditions and targeted interventions leading to disease prevention and improved outcomes.

Sexual Relationship Power and Safe Sex Communication Among Partnered Women in the Dominican Republic

Introduction: Research is needed to identify influences on safe sex communication among specific culture groups. This study aimed to (1) describe sexual behaviors and indicators of sexual power among partnered Dominican women and (2) identify which of these indicators are significantly associated with safe sex communication. Methodology: Cross-sectional surveys, grounded in the theory of gender and power, were conducted with 100 partnered women at a clinic in southeastern Dominican Republic. Linear regression modeling was used to identify significant associations. Results: Self-efficacy (β = 0.48), total personal monthly income (β = 0.21), and history of sexually transmitted infection (β = 0.19) were significantly associated with higher level of partner safe sex communication. Discussion: Nurse clinicians, educators, and researchers should consider self-efficacy, personal income, and history of sexually transmitted infection when addressing communication in HIV prevention efforts among Dominican women.

Muslim Women's use of contraception in the United States

Background

American Muslim women are an understudied population; thus, significant knowledge gaps exist related to their most basic health behaviors and indicators. Considering this, we examined American Muslim women’s contraception utilization patterns.

Methods

Self-reported data collected in late 2015 were analyzed. Women who identified as Muslim, were at least 18 years old, sexually active, and current residents of the United States (n = 224) met the inclusion criteria. Convenience sampling was employed. Multivariate logistic regression models estimated associations between demographics, marital status, ethnicity, nativity, health insurance, religious practice, and contraception use.

Results

Identifying as Muslim, in general, was significantly associated with greater odds of using contraception in general and condoms compared to American Muslim women who identify as Sunni. Identifying as Shia was associated with greater odds of using oral contraceptive pills relative to Sunni respondents. South Asian ethnicity was associated with higher odds of using oral contraceptive pills compared to those of Middle Eastern or North African ethnicity.

Conclusions

Findings suggest American Muslim women’s contraception utilization patterns share certain similarities with both American women in general and disadvantaged racial and ethnic minority groups in the United States, implying that factors that influence American Muslim women’s use of contraceptives are possibly countervailing and likely multifaceted. More research is needed to accurately identify associates of contraceptive use in this population. This work serves as a starting point for researchers and practitioners seeking to better understand reproductive health decision in this understudied population.

Caring as a Facilitator of Sensitive Research Studies with Immigrant Latino Families

Although caring is a fundamental concept in nursing, it is underutilized in our research with underserved populations and communities. Disch's definition of patient-centered care was adapted to define the elements of caring in research work with underserved communities. The study's purpose was to demonstrate how to conceptualize and operationalize caring in the research process. Demonstrating caring in our attitudes and actions is essential to the success of our research work. The proposed research process aids in applying caring into our engagement with community stakeholders and recruitment of minority participants, whether we conduct community-based participatory research or clinical trials.

Barriers to adolescent contraception use and adherence

OBJECTIVE

The United States has the highest rate of adolescent pregnancy of the industrialized nations. Previously reported patient barriers to the use of contraception included an ambivalence about pregnancy; method side effects; difficulty using methods; lack of satisfaction with methods; concerns about safety; expense; and a lack of knowledge about long-acting reversible contraception (LARC). This survey aims to determine if there are additional barriers to contraception use and adherence among an ethnically diverse urban population.

METHODS

A 16-item survey with good interrater reliability was utilized in a pilot study to assess patient demographics, and contraceptive methods was distributed to female patients aged 13-21 years at Metropolitan Hospital Center from January to October of 2014. Data analysis was performed using the χ2-square analysis, ϕ-coefficient, Contingency Coefficient, Cramer's V, and Satterthwaite methods of analyses.

RESULTS

Concerns about contraceptive method side effects, more specifically, weight gain, irregular bleeding and long-term health risks, and worries about parents discovering their contraceptive habits were the major barriers to contraceptive use.

CONCLUSION

The identification of these barriers is critical in order to reduce the high rates of pregnancy in adolescents. Educating parents and their teenagers regarding the most effective methods may increase compliance and adherence. This study offers further support for the use of LARC to overcome perceived patient barriers.