|
Catherine’s contact details:
P.O. Box 32305
Devonport
Auckland 0744
New Zealand
Phone: (mobile) +64 21 1513732
To receive information about participation, please email me: researchphd@xtra.co.nz
Supervisor:
Professor Alison Jones
Te Puna Wananga - School of Maori Education
Faculty of Education - Epsom Campus (Gate 1, 78 Epsom Avenue, Block D, Room 200)
University of Auckland
Private Bag 92601
Auckland 1023
New Zealand
Phone: 64 9 6238899 x88117
Email: a.jones@auckland.ac.nz
Top
Welcome to my webpage and thank you for taking the time to consider participating in my international email-based research. The working title for my study is:
Learning experience: Women, health professionals and the HPV (human papilloma virus) and HSV (herpes simplex virus)
I have chosen to research a topic that is usually only spoken about in privacy. HSV and HPV are the most common viral STIs and have specific implications for women’s sexual and reproductive health, and yet women diagnosed with these conditions often believe they are ‘the only one.’ Why it is that sex is a common, often explicit topic but sexual health isn’t? Through my research I intend to make accessible to women and health professionals the resources women use (people, education material, and support) to make a difference to women’s quality of life subsequent to a diagnosis of a condition usually considered to be private.
- Are you a woman living with HSV or HPV?
- Are you a health professional (nursing, medicine, health promotion, counselling) involved in clinical practice with women who have a diagnosis of HPV and/or HSV?
- Perhaps you meet both criteria - I discuss this situation in the Participation Information Sheet.
- If your answer is ‘yes’ to any of the above three options, you have the expertise I am seeking - please keep reading!
If you are a woman living with HSV or HPV, I am very keen to discuss with you your experiences of what it means for you to live with a sexual health condition that continues to be something of a taboo subject. Although HIV, breast cancer and infertility are becoming more commonplace themes in the public eye; in movies, books, and magazines, you will have noticed that this visibility is not nearly so apparent for herpes and HPV.
If you are a health professional please consider that the experience you have is of great interest to me. Through my clinical work I know that the role of health professionals is particularly significant, given the few places people with HSV and HPV can speak with the assurance of privacy about their experiences. Most of the practitioners I have worked with who have a passion for women’s health have learnt ‘on the job’ as sexual health does not feature highly in general curriculum. You may in the majority, as an experienced professional who has never published about the nuances of sexual health consultations and therefore other colleagues have limited access to your knowledge resource.
Top
A background to my research interest:
My interest in women’s sexual health began in the early 90’s when I was involved in the nursing care of women who had advanced cervical cancer. From these experiences I decided I wanted to be involved in primary health care. I qualified and worked as a midwife and subsequently worked for a period of time in the area of sexual health. The move from midwifery to sexual health was a stark contrast: from the climate of celebration and acknowledgement of women’s bodies with flowers, cards, (often graphic) photos and newspaper announcements to a climate of privacy and secrecy.
I noticed a change professionally as well. On finding out I was a midwife, people loved to speak to me at length, telling me about birthing experiences, chatting in places we could be easily overheard. However, my sexual health work disclosure was for the most part a conversation stopper, or people might have a very discreet conversation with me. I discovered quickly that sexual health is still not an everyday topic despite most adults being sexually active.
Since 1996 I have been developing a specialist interest in women’s sexual health. I am on the Professional Advisory Board of the New Zealand Viral Sexually Transmitted Infections Foundation (http://www.herpes.org.nz/ and http://www.hpv.org.nz/ ) I work as a telephone and email nurse counsellor for this organisation and I am also the email nurse counsellor for the International Herpes Alliance http://www.herpesalliance.org/ . I also work as a counsellor at The University of Auckland Health Services. In order to advance my work in the area of women’s sexual health, it is time for me to make the transition from an accumulation of anecdotal experience to research that has the potential to contribute to women’s wellbeing.
For any queries regarding ethical concerns you may contact the Chair, The University of Auckland Human Participants Ethics Committee, The University of Auckland, Office of the Vice Chancellor, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142. Telephone 00 61 9 3737 599 extn. 87830.
Top
Download
Participation Information Sheet
Health Professionals Participant Information Sheet (39kB)
Consent Form
