A State-Level Examination of School Nurses' Perceptions of Condom Availability Accompanied by Sex Education
Smith, S.; Platt, J.M.; Clifford, D.; Preston, M.; Satterwhite, C.; Kelly, P.J.; Ramaswamy, M.
Journal of school nursing the official publication of the National Association of School Nurses 36(5): 386-393
2020
ISSN/ISBN: 1059-8405 PMID: 30669935 DOI: 10.1177/1059840518824728Document Number: 689279
School nurses are often sources of health-care support for teens with sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unintended pregnancies. However, providing prevention (e.g., condoms) and teaching technical skills (e.g., condom use) needed to reduce high-risk sexual behavior may require a change in perceptions and policies. This study used a cross-sectional study design to assess nurses' perceptions of condom availability accompanied by sex education programs among high school nurses (n = 87) in Kansas. Results showed that school nurses in this study supported condom availability, were comfortable providing condoms, and felt condom availability was within the scope of their job but were less likely to provide condoms because of external barriers. Common barriers include administration, parents, cost, community support, and policies. School nurses, by virtue of their access to the majority of Kansas' adolescents, have the potential to provide sex education and tools such as condoms, so young people can prevent STIs and unintended pregnancies.