Partnership programs for adolescent sexual health: an integrative review
Date
2012-06-21
Authors
Hawes, Carolyn
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Abstract
In this integrative literature review, my aim was to understand how Action Research
(AR) or partnership programs can empower and benefit adolescent females to act on
issues important to their sexual health by their participation. Eleven AR and partnership
research papers oriented to empowering female adolescents about their sexual health
were reviewed using established criteria. I learned that few partnership projects have
been specifically designed and evaluated for female adolescents in their sexual health.
Some programs designed to reduce adolescent pregnancy and sexually transmitted
infections (STIs) are shown to be effective if the philosophical, methodological, and
practical criteria adhere authentically to the established criteria, and if the projects can be
supported both financially and at the policy level for sustainable programming. What this
review also revealed, evidenced by the youth’s positive statements, is that small changes
in empowerment processes can be equally valuable for them despite weaknesses in study
design if the process occurs in a youth-friendly environment. Public Health Nurses
(PHNs) can serve as liaisons between the adolescents and the community and as
facilitators to nursing students working in school health programming. Nursing students
could provide the consistent presence in the schools to foster sustainable programs while
being supported by nurse educators to develop their partnership skills with adolescents.
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Keywords
partnership, programs, adolescent, sexual health, integrative review