Hispanic Women's Expectations of Campus-Based Health Clinics Addressing Sexual Health Concerns

Abstract

Although the number of Hispanic women attending postsecondary institutions has significantly increased in the past decade, knowledge about their use of campus health services to address sexuality-related issues remains low. Increased information about this population is crucial given that sexual health indicators have shown Hispanic women in college to be at a greater risk for negative sexual health outcomes compared with their white counterparts. In this study, we conducted individual interviews with Hispanic women to explore their sexual health concerns and identify the roles they see campus-based health clinics playing in addressing these issues. Study findings suggest a need for health providers to provide sexual health skills that empower Hispanic women, the importance of creating a sense of comfort and trust with the health provider, and illustrating respect for cultural values. Campus health centers can play an important role in providing culturally appropriate sexual health information to Hispanic and other ethnic/racial minority students.

KEYWORDS:

• Hispanic
• women
• campus
• sexual health

Notes

1. We recognize that there is a debate between the use of the terms Hispanic and Latino. The term Hispanic was created by the U.S. government to identify people “who speak, are affected by or are Spanish-like” (Suro, 2006). It is incorrectly used to also identify other non-Spanish speaking nationalities such as Brazilians; this lack of cultural appropriateness is one of the critiques raised about the term Hispanic. However, as the interviews for the present study were conducted in an urban center where the majority of residents, including the study participants, primarily self-identify as Hispanic, we use this term in the present paper.

2. Passion Parties are a type of “Tupperware” party where adult toy and sex toys are sold. A Passion Party company representative brings the products to the hostess’ home, explains how they are used, and then encourages guests to purchase these items via preorders.