Reproductive Health最新文献

Background: Unplanned pregnancy remains a critical reproductive health and social equity issue in the United States, disproportionately affecting women of color. In the U.S. South, where cultural conservatism and restrictive reproductive policies are prevalent, these experiences are further shaped by intersecting systems of race, gender, and power. Despite extensive public health focus on prevention and behavior, limited attention has been given to how women of color in higher education interpret and navigate unplanned pregnancy within these racialized and gendered contexts. This study explores how college women of color experience unplanned pregnancy and how intersecting social dynamics influence their perceptions, emotions, and decision-making.

Methods: This qualitative study used a phenomenological design to capture the lived experiences of eleven self-identified college women of color who experienced an unplanned pregnancy while enrolled in undergraduate programs in the U.S. South. Guided by the Social-Ecological Model, semi-structured interviews were conducted via a secure video-conferencing platform. Transcripts were analyzed using Braun and Clarke's six-phase thematic analysis. Research rigor was ensured through triangulation, reflexive bracketing, and collaborative coding.

Results: Four key themes emerged: (1) Emotional and gendered burdens-participants described fear, shame, and stigma rooted in moral and gender norms; (2) Gendered contraceptive responsibility-contraception and prevention were viewed as women's duty, with minimal partner accountability; (3) Partner influence and power in pregnancy decisions-relationships often reflected unequal emotional and decision-making dynamics; and (4) Cultural and racialized expectations-religious beliefs, family reputation, and community respectability shaped silence and internal conflict. Collectively, these experiences reflected intersecting gendered and racialized pressures that limited autonomy and support.

Conclusion: Unplanned pregnancy among college women of color in the U.S. South is shaped by intertwined gendered and racialized burdens that constrain reproductive agency. These findings highlight the need for reproductive justice frameworks that amplify women's voices, challenge cultural and gendered inequities, and promote equitable reproductive decision-making through culturally responsive support systems.

The sexual health literacy of young refugees has not been investigated in detail due to the lack of a sufficient assessment tool in the literature. This study aims to perform validity and reliability analysis of the Arabic version of the Sexual Health Literacy Scale (SHLS) in a sample consisting of young Syrian refugee university students. This methodological study was conducted in December 2023 with 191 young Syrian refugee students at a university in XXX, XXX. Content validity of the scale was assessed in three stages: translation, back translation, and cultural adaptation. Besides, construct validity was evaluated with confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and internal consistency reliability with Cronbach's Alpha coefficient and total item correlation. CFA demonstrated that the Arabic version of the SHLS had two sub-dimensions and 16 items. Cronbach's Alpha coefficient was 0.85, indicating the scale was reliable. Male participants studying in health-related departments, aware of sexual health literacy, educated on sexual health, and confident in their knowledge scored significantly higher on the scale. This is the first study investigating the SHLS's validity and reliability in young refugees. Given its acceptable validity and reliability, further research is needed in diverse, broader samples to clarify its applicability in different settings.