What are the issues for New Zealand Defence Force registered nurses and paramedics when screening for, and managing, sexual health concerns for defence force personnel?
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Other Title
Authors
Munro, Paula
Author ORCID Profiles (clickable)
Degree
Master of Nursing
Grantor
Eastern Institute of Technology
Date
2016
Supervisors
Manhire, Kathy
Jamieson, Isabel
Jamieson, Isabel
Type
Masters Thesis
Ngā Upoko Tukutuku (Māori subject headings)
Keyword
New Zealand
New Zealand Defence Force
registered nurses
paramedics
military personnel
sexual health
New Zealand Defence Force
registered nurses
paramedics
military personnel
sexual health
ANZSRC Field of Research Code (2020)
Citation
Munro, P. F. (2016). What are the issues for New Zealand Defence Force registered nurses and paramedics when screening for, and managing, sexual health concerns for defence force personnel? (Unpublished document submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Nursing). Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT), New Zealand.
Abstract
BACKGROUND
In the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF), sexual and reproductive health is a common presentation in military health facilities by military personnel. However, there remain barriers that prevent defence force personnel seeking and receiving optimum care. In New Zealand (NZ), common deterrents in sexual and reproductive health are stigmatisation and judgment around Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), and inadequate education for health providers, and the receivers of care. Additionally, many people seeking sexual health care have concerns over medical confidentiality. In the NZDF, there are additional deterrents that may impact on the standard of care delivered. These are the implied status of military uniform with rank insignia, and pre-existing relationships outside the health care facility. Furthermore, due to the predominately young male populations, frequent deployments overseas, and a growing rate of STIs, there is the potential for an alarming health issue for NZDF health providers to manage in the future.
AIM
The aim of this research was to identify issues experienced by NZDF registered nurses and paramedics when screening for, and managing, sexual health concerns of defence force personnel. The researcher also sought to determine whether participants thought sexual and reproductive health should be a specialist area of care delivery, or remain as part of primary health care, and if it would be beneficial for a NZDF sexual and reproductive health policy to be developed.
METHOD
This research used an exploratory qualitative descriptive research design. Nonprobability sampling along with a snowballing technique was utilised to recruit six participants who were either NZDF registered nurses, or paramedics, who were working in, or had worked in, a NZDF primary health care facility in the last five years. Semi-structured questions were used for the interviews. Additionally, two specific questions were asked of all articipants. The first, whether participants thought defence personnel seeking sexual health care be referred to a doctor or sexual health nurse specialist, and, secondly, whether the NZDF should have a formal sexual and reproductive health policy.
RESULTS
The research found participants experienced four distinct issues. These issues were related to education, stigmatisation, medical confidentiality, inherent perceptions in wearing a military uniform with rank insignia, and pe-existing military relationships.
CONCLUSION
It is recommended that the NZDF develop and implement policies about sexual and reproductive health issues, to ensure that NZDF registered nurses and paramedics are adequately prepared to provide optimal sexual health care for personnel seeking care. It is also recommended that the NZDF consider sexual and reproductive health care be delivered as a part of primary health care by all NZDF registered nurses and paramedics, however, further education needs to be considered at an undergraduate level for paramedics and at a post graduate level for registered nurses. It is also recommended that clinical leadership be provided by a specialist registered nurse or medical officer who has advanced knowledge of sexual and reproductive health.
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