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.     

Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Women

Irritable bowel syndrome is a gastrointestinal disorder characterized by abdominal pain and changes in bowel habits. It adversely affects the quality of life for women who have it and is a significant health care burden. The syndrome results from the interaction of many factors that are not clearly understood, including stress, environment (internal and external), and biological mechanisms. It affects women more than men, and clear biological, psychological, and physical differences exist between the sexes, creating the need for a specialized approach to management in women. The objective of this article is to explore the pathophysiology of irritable bowel syndrome and how it relates specifically to women and to apply these differences to the diagnosis and treatment of irritable bowel syndrome in women.     

On the Horizon: New Options for Contraception

Future contraceptives include refinements of existing contraceptives and totally new methods. New formulations of oral contraceptives, subdermal hormonal implants, injectable hormones, vaginal spermicides, and intrauterine devices (IUDs) are being tested around the world. New methods that are not yet available include the use of vaginal preparations containing sperm-immobilizing agents, gonadotrophin releasing hormone agonists and antagonists, vaccines against ova and sperm, and endogenous hormones. Male contraceptive methods use hormones to suppress testosterone and vaccines to immobilize sperm. The availability of all future contraceptives is dependent on ample funds for research, development, and testing, and such funds are in jeopardy.     

Sex Partner Type and Condom Use in African American Adolescent Mothers: A Literature Review

PROBLEM: Teen mothers may need mental health counseling that goes beyond addressing the parenting stressors of motherhood to include those related to sexual risk decision‐making. Sexual risk behaviors of adolescent girls are influenced by partner type. Coparent, “baby's daddy” partner types may exert unique psychosocial influences on their sexual risk decisions and, thus, their risk for human immunodeficiency virus infection. METHODS: A review of literature was conducted to identify, critique, and summarize the research on partner‐type influences on the sexual risk decision‐making of African American adolescent mothers. Extensive searches of PubMed, CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and CRISP were conducted. Data displays were constructed to compare constructs across studies. Both the strengths and limitations of these studies are highlighted. FINDINGS: Most studies on partner types and sexual behavior are quantitative, and few target adolescent mothers. Only four studies were identified that focused on sexual partner influences on condom use in African American adolescent mothers, with only one examining the coparent as a partner type. No published studies were identified that examined adolescent mothers’ reasons for making partner‐specific sexual risk decisions or choices made in regard to having sex with their “babies’ daddies.” CONCLUSION: The state of the science is inadequate regarding partner‐type influences on the sexual risk decisions of African American adolescent mothers. Further research is vital for mental healthcare providers so that the depth and complexity of partner‐related influences on sexual risk decisions can be appropriately addressed during risk assessments and counseling.     

Mentoring students and junior faculty in faculty research: A win-win scenario

The concept of mentoring in nursing has focused primarily on moving novice nurses to a more advanced level of expertise in the clinical setting. With the growing emphasis on expanding evidence-based practice in nursing, however, mentoring within the context of research is becoming increasingly important. This article describes the many reciprocal benefits of research mentoring for students, junior faculty, and senior faculty researchers as well as for colleges of nursing and nursing science. Suggestions for implementing processes that facilitate successful mentoring within a research setting also are offered.