Abstract

Native American groups in the United States experience extensive sexual and reproductive health disparities. However, the sexual health education and communication experiences of Native American groups are understudied. Thirty-one interviews were conducted with Native American women in the United States’ Gulf Coast about their sexual and reproductive health experiences. Women reported the following themes: (a) Lack of Formal Sex Education; (b) Young Pregnancy; (c) Lack of Knowledge about HIV/STDs; (d) Lack of Communication about Menstruation; (e) Communication Experiences about Sexual and Reproductive Health; and (f) Stigma Around Discussing Sexual and Reproductive Topics. The findings of this research indicate that there are gaps in sexual health education and highlight the ways female tribal members act as health leaders in their communities.

摘要

美国的美洲原住民群体经历着广泛的性健康和生殖健康差异。然而，美洲原住民群体的性健康教育和交流经历却没有得到充分研究。对美国墨西哥湾沿岸的美洲原住民妇女进行了 31 次采访，了解她们的性健康和生殖健康经历。妇女报告了以下主题： (a) 缺乏正规的性教育；(b) 年轻怀孕；(c) 缺乏关于艾滋病毒/性病的知识；(d) 缺乏关于月经的沟通；(e) 关于性健康和生殖健康的交流经验；(f) 讨论性和生殖话题的耻辱感。这项研究的结果表明，性健康教育存在差距，并突出了女性部落成员在其社区中担任健康领导者的方式。