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Shipboard women's health care: provider perceptions
1Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, CA 92186-5122, USA.
Military Medicine
|October 27, 1997
Summary
Shipboard healthcare providers report adequate training for women's health, including birth control and STD prevention. However, limited supplies like contraceptives and testing kits hinder optimal care for female U.S. Navy personnel.
Area of Science:
- Naval Medicine
- Women's Health
- Healthcare Delivery
Background:
- Women integrated into U.S. Navy auxiliary ships in 1978 and combatant ships in 1994.
- Ensuring high-standard medical care for all personnel is a U.S. Navy priority.
Purpose of the Study:
- Assess shipboard healthcare providers' perceptions of their ability to deliver adequate women's health care.
- Identify challenges and successes in providing gynecological and reproductive health services at sea.
Main Methods:
- Personal interviews conducted with senior healthcare providers.
- Study included 32 U.S. Navy ships with integrated female workforces.
Main Results:
- Most ships provide training on birth control (90.6%), sexually transmitted diseases (96.9%), and Navy pregnancy policy (84.4%).
- Healthcare providers reported limitations in essential supplies, including contraceptives, pregnancy tests, and STD tests.
Conclusions:
- While training is prevalent, supply shortages pose a significant barrier to comprehensive women's healthcare delivery in the U.S. Navy.
- Addressing supply chain issues is crucial for equitable healthcare for women serving in the Navy.