Barriers and enablers to sexual health service use among university students: a qualitative descriptive study using the Theoretical Domains Framework and COM-B model
Abstract Background University students are within the age group at highest risk for acquiring sexually transmitted infections and other negative health outcomes. Despite the availability of sexual health services at university health centres to promote sexual health, many students delay or avoid se...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2018-07-01
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| Series: | BMC Health Services Research |
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| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12913-018-3379-0 |
| _version_ | 1819155876646223872 |
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| author | Christine Cassidy Andrea Bishop Audrey Steenbeek Donald Langille Ruth Martin-Misener Janet Curran |
| author_facet | Christine Cassidy Andrea Bishop Audrey Steenbeek Donald Langille Ruth Martin-Misener Janet Curran |
| author_sort | Christine Cassidy |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background University students are within the age group at highest risk for acquiring sexually transmitted infections and other negative health outcomes. Despite the availability of sexual health services at university health centres to promote sexual health, many students delay or avoid seeking care. This study aimed to identify the perceived barriers and enablers to sexual health service use among university undergraduate students. Methods We used a qualitative descriptive design to conduct semi-structured focus groups and key informant interviews with university students, health care providers, and university administrators at two university health centres in Nova Scotia, Canada. The semi-structured focus group and interview guides were developed using the Theoretical Domains Framework and COM-B Model. Data were analyzed using a directed content analysis approach, followed by inductive thematic analysis. Results We conducted 6 focus groups with a total of 56 undergraduate students (aged 18–25) and 7 key informant interviews with clinicians and administrators. We identified 10 barriers and enablers to sexual health service use, under 7 TDF domains: knowledge; memory, attention and decision-making processes; social influences; environmental context and resources; beliefs about consequences; optimism; and emotion. Key linkages between students’ social opportunity and motivation were found to influence students’ access of sexual health services. Conclusions We identified barriers and enablers related to students’ capability, opportunity and motivation that influence sexual health service use. We will use these findings to design an intervention that targets the identified barriers and enablers to improve students’ use of sexual health services, and ultimately, their overall health and well-being. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-22T15:43:57Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-6371560b8534430ba9026826ee7a236a |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1472-6963 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-22T15:43:57Z |
| publishDate | 2018-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Health Services Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-6371560b8534430ba9026826ee7a236a2022-12-21T18:21:03ZengBMCBMC Health Services Research1472-69632018-07-0118111210.1186/s12913-018-3379-0Barriers and enablers to sexual health service use among university students: a qualitative descriptive study using the Theoretical Domains Framework and COM-B modelChristine Cassidy0Andrea Bishop1Audrey Steenbeek2Donald Langille3Ruth Martin-Misener4Janet Curran5School of Nursing, Dalhousie UniversityIWK Health CentreSchool of Nursing, Dalhousie UniversityDepartment of Community Health and Epidemiology, Dalhousie UniversitySchool of Nursing, Dalhousie UniversitySchool of Nursing, Dalhousie UniversityAbstract Background University students are within the age group at highest risk for acquiring sexually transmitted infections and other negative health outcomes. Despite the availability of sexual health services at university health centres to promote sexual health, many students delay or avoid seeking care. This study aimed to identify the perceived barriers and enablers to sexual health service use among university undergraduate students. Methods We used a qualitative descriptive design to conduct semi-structured focus groups and key informant interviews with university students, health care providers, and university administrators at two university health centres in Nova Scotia, Canada. The semi-structured focus group and interview guides were developed using the Theoretical Domains Framework and COM-B Model. Data were analyzed using a directed content analysis approach, followed by inductive thematic analysis. Results We conducted 6 focus groups with a total of 56 undergraduate students (aged 18–25) and 7 key informant interviews with clinicians and administrators. We identified 10 barriers and enablers to sexual health service use, under 7 TDF domains: knowledge; memory, attention and decision-making processes; social influences; environmental context and resources; beliefs about consequences; optimism; and emotion. Key linkages between students’ social opportunity and motivation were found to influence students’ access of sexual health services. Conclusions We identified barriers and enablers related to students’ capability, opportunity and motivation that influence sexual health service use. We will use these findings to design an intervention that targets the identified barriers and enablers to improve students’ use of sexual health services, and ultimately, their overall health and well-being.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12913-018-3379-0Sexual health servicesSexually transmitted infectionsReproductive healthUniversity studentsTheoretical domains framework, behaviour change wheelQualitative research |
| spellingShingle | Christine Cassidy Andrea Bishop Audrey Steenbeek Donald Langille Ruth Martin-Misener Janet Curran Barriers and enablers to sexual health service use among university students: a qualitative descriptive study using the Theoretical Domains Framework and COM-B model BMC Health Services Research Sexual health services Sexually transmitted infections Reproductive health University students Theoretical domains framework, behaviour change wheel Qualitative research |
| title | Barriers and enablers to sexual health service use among university students: a qualitative descriptive study using the Theoretical Domains Framework and COM-B model |
| title_full | Barriers and enablers to sexual health service use among university students: a qualitative descriptive study using the Theoretical Domains Framework and COM-B model |
| title_fullStr | Barriers and enablers to sexual health service use among university students: a qualitative descriptive study using the Theoretical Domains Framework and COM-B model |
| title_full_unstemmed | Barriers and enablers to sexual health service use among university students: a qualitative descriptive study using the Theoretical Domains Framework and COM-B model |
| title_short | Barriers and enablers to sexual health service use among university students: a qualitative descriptive study using the Theoretical Domains Framework and COM-B model |
| title_sort | barriers and enablers to sexual health service use among university students a qualitative descriptive study using the theoretical domains framework and com b model |
| topic | Sexual health services Sexually transmitted infections Reproductive health University students Theoretical domains framework, behaviour change wheel Qualitative research |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12913-018-3379-0 |
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