Young women's stories of having a sexually transmitted infection : a feminist perspective

Abstract

This study aimed to explore young women's stories of having a sexually transmitted infection (STI) from a feminist perspective. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are prevalent throughout the world and can have serious physical and emotional sequelae. Although some aspects of having STIs, such as stigma, have previously been identified in the literature, there is a paucity of nursing literature that focuses on the experiential aspects of these infections. Further, an exploration of young women's experiences of having such an infection from a feminist perspective has not been undertaken. This signifies that nurses may have limited knowledge pertaining to the gender aspects and the effects STIs can have on young women's lives. This research used a qualitative feminist methodology. Data were collected via online conversational interactions with ten women. The participants were from various backgrounds and aged between 21 and 39 years at the time of data collection. Once data collection was complete, the women's stories were thematically analysed using a feminist narrative technique. Five dominant themes each consisting of three sub-themes were revealed in the women's stories. The first theme; Disrupted sense of self, illuminates how these women did not believe themselves to be at risk of STIs due to perceptions they held about women who contract these infections. Because these perceptions were incompatible with their own perceived views, the women experienced a disruption in their self-perceived thoughts and beliefs following their diagnoses. The second theme; Stigma and stereotypes reflects how the women internalised the existing stereotypes of women with STIs and subsequently felt stigmatised. The third theme; Burdensome emotions, responsibilities, and consequences reveals the extent of the emotional burden these women felt by having an STI. The theme highlights the women's fear and guilt associated with STI transmission, and the trepidation they felt surrounding their future reproductive health. The fourth theme; Violated and vulnerable, illuminates how the women were all at risk of these infections due to various factors including gender dynamics and some of the women's hindered ability to practise safer sex. The final theme; Strength and support in the face of adversity, elucidates the women's healthcare experiences and the support networks these women drew on to overcome the burden of having an STI. The findings of this study have revealed the emotional burden and the detrimental impact that having an STI can have on young women's lives. This study has provided greater insight into the difficulties women experience in negotiating condom use and practising safer sex. Further, although the majority of these women described experiencing negative healthcare encounters, findings from this research have revealed the benefits these women gained from participating in online support networks. Findings from this study have several implications for nursing practice and offers direction for future research.

Date of Award	2009
Original language	English