Community-based research to explore safer sex behaviors among women: implications for CNS practice.
OBJECTIVE
This article illustrates how data from community-based surveys can be used to inform clinical nurse specialist (CNS) practice and ultimately influence patient care related to sex behaviors.


BACKGROUND
Clinical nurse specialists design, implement, and evaluate research to develop specific prevention and intervention strategies for populations. Much of this research is conducted in the tertiary setting although many of the interventions are carried out in the community setting.


METHODS
A sample of rural women (N = 578) participated in a community-based survey to determine characteristics which influence safer sex behaviors.


RESULTS
Results of the survey suggest that age, education, and relationship status influence safer sex behaviors. Women in the community tended to believe that safer sex behaviors were linked to pregnancy prevention and lacked understanding about the importance of safer sex behaviors to prevent sexually transmitted diseases including HIV/AIDS.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings of this study can inform CNSs about sex behaviors among women in a selected community, translating community-based research into evidence-based, patient-centered care.


CONCLUSIONS
Results from community-based research can be used to develop educational and prevention programs, and interventions for specialty populations.
Fauchald
Sally K
SK
Department of Graduate Nursing, College of St. Scholastica, Duluth, MN, USA. sfauchal@css.edu
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D018672:Community Health Planning / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015146:Midwestern United States; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009720:Nurse Clinicians / Q000458:organization & administration*; D024802:Nurse's Role; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research / Q000458:organization & administration*; D018802:Patient-Centered Care; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012107:Research Design; D021841:Safe Sex / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014930:Women / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*