Papers by Dr. Wendasha Hall
Pedagogy in health promotion, Feb 21, 2024
2015 APHA Annual Meeting & Expo (Oct. 31 - Nov. 4, 2015), Nov 1, 2015
Illness, Crisis, & Loss, Sep 6, 2016
This article reports on parental responses to and needs from health-care providers during pregnan... more This article reports on parental responses to and needs from health-care providers during pregnancy with a lethal fetal diagnosis (LFD). Sixteen mothers and 14 partners participated in a longitudinal, phenomenological study of continuing a pregnancy with an LFD. During individual and joint couple interviews conducted during pregnancy and postpartum, parents described numerous health-care interactions throughout pregnancy. From the participants' words, Categories of the Content, Process, and Outcome of these interactions emerged. They sought health care for the Content (information and expert guidance), but they desired providers who maintain hope, were caring and nonjudgmental, used a straightforward manner, and showed sensitivity to their developmental journey (Process). They also desired health-care systems that provided continuity of care and minimized waiting times (Process). We propose data-based recommendations for health-care providers to address the two identified opposing Outcomes: Feeling Cared For and Experiencing Added Burden.
Aids Care-psychological and Socio-medical Aspects of Aids/hiv, Nov 3, 2022
Contraception, Jul 1, 2020
This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the ad... more This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the addition of a cover page and metadata, and formatting for readability, but it is not yet the definitive version of record. This version will undergo additional copyediting, typesetting and review before it is published in its final form, but we are providing this version to give early visibility of the article. Please note that, during the production process, errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain.
Directed by Dr. Tracy Nichols. 156 pp. Black women are one of the fastest growing minority popula... more Directed by Dr. Tracy Nichols. 156 pp. Black women are one of the fastest growing minority populations on United States (US) college campuses. In addition, they are disproportionately burdened by the sexually transmitted infection (STI) and HIV epidemics facing young adults. Despite these deleterious health outcomes, little is known about the sexual behaviors and factors that affect Black college women's sexual health. One avenue of sexual health research with potential to shed light on this population's sexual behavior and risk is hookup culture. The 'hookup'-a casual sexual encounter between individuals without the expectation of a dating or romantic relationship-has become increasingly prevalent on US college campuses with 60-80% of students reporting at least one hookup experience during their college career. Considering that young adults aged 15-24 account for half of new STI diagnoses in the US each year, hookups present a potential health risk to college students. However, the existing hookup literature is overwhelming White and female, and often exclusive of historically marginalized populations such as Black women. The data resulting from predominantly White, female samples creates generalizations and assumptions regarding prototypical hookup behaviors and experiences among college students, which may inadvertently mask important racial/ethnic differences in sexual behaviors and corresponding risks. The masking of Black women's experiences could lead to the oversight of possible risk and protective factors that influence their sexual and reproductive health. The near absence of Black
Black women are one of the fastest growing minority populations on United States (US) college cam... more Black women are one of the fastest growing minority populations on United States (US) college campuses. In addition, they are disproportionately burdened by the sexually transmitted infection (STI) and HIV epidemics facing young adults. Despite these deleterious health outcomes, little is known about the sexual behaviors and factors that affect Black college women’s sexual health. One avenue of sexual health research with potential to shed light on this population’s sexual behavior and risk is hookup culture. The ‘hookup’—a casual sexual encounter between individuals without the expectation of a dating or romantic relationship—has become increasingly prevalent on US college campuses with 60-80% of students reporting at least one hookup experience during their college career. Considering that young adults aged 15-24 account for half of new STI diagnoses in the US each year, hookups present a potential health risk to college students. However, the existing hookup literature is overwhe...
Illness, Crisis & Loss, 2016
This article reports on parental responses to and needs from health-care providers during pregnan... more This article reports on parental responses to and needs from health-care providers during pregnancy with a lethal fetal diagnosis (LFD). Sixteen mothers and 14 partners participated in a longitudinal, phenomenological study of continuing a pregnancy with an LFD. During individual and joint couple interviews conducted during pregnancy and postpartum, parents described numerous health-care interactions throughout pregnancy. From the participants' words, Categories of the Content, Process, and Outcome of these interactions emerged. They sought health care for the Content (information and expert guidance), but they desired providers who maintain hope, were caring and nonjudgmental, used a straightforward manner, and showed sensitivity to their developmental journey ( Process). They also desired health-care systems that provided continuity of care and minimized waiting times ( Process). We propose data-based recommendations for health-care providers to address the two identified oppo...
Culture, Health & Sexuality, 2019
This study used a sexual scripting framework to analyse data from the Online College Social Life ... more This study used a sexual scripting framework to analyse data from the Online College Social Life Survey to examine the role of individual, (e.g. gender, race and alcohol use), relational (partner type, condom use behaviours), and contextual factors (sex ratios and fraternity/sorority affiliation) influencing 4,292 first-year college students' hookup experiences. Results suggest that hookups are relatively "safe", with the majority involving non-penetrative sexual behaviour, condom use, and familiar partners. However, alcohol use affected hookup behaviours and lower levels of condom use were associated with heavy alcohol use, even with less well known partners. Findings point to the importance of interventions that reinforce first-year students' positive behaviours and present them with protective behavioural strategies to use in the context of alcohol, and with repeat or well-known partners to reduce risk and have enjoyable, consensual sexual experiences.
Journal of American College Health, 2018
Hookups-casual sexual encounters between individuals without the expectation of an ensuing dating... more Hookups-casual sexual encounters between individuals without the expectation of an ensuing dating or romantic relationship. 1-are a continued topic of interest among college and sexual health researchers. 1-4 With estimates that 60%-80% of US college students report at least one hookup during their tenure, the potential sexual health consequences posed by hookups involving penetrative sex must be considered. 1,2,5-8 The number of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) specifically attributable to hookups is unknown; yet young adults ages 15-24 account for 64.3% and 49.7% of all reported chlamydia and gonorrhea cases and in the US, respectively. 9 Although not all hookups include penetrative behaviors, hookup events which include vaginal and anal sex may elevate the risk of STIs due to college students' inconsistent condom
Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 2018
Background Since the late 1990s, health departments and sexually transmitted disease (STD) progra... more Background Since the late 1990s, health departments and sexually transmitted disease (STD) programs throughout the United States have used technologies, such as the Internet and mobile phones, to provide services to persons with a sexually transmitted infection, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and their sex partners, also known as partner services. This study reviewed the published literature to assess and compare partner services outcomes as a result of using technology and to calculate cost savings through cases averted. Methods We conducted a structured literature review of all US studies that examined the use of technology to notify persons exposed to an STD (syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea), including HIV, by health care professionals in the United States from 2000 to 2017. Outcome measures, including the number of partners notified, screened or tested; and new positives identified, were captured and cost savings were calculated, when data were available. Results S...
Journal of HIV/AIDS & Social Services, 2016
Culture, health & sexuality, Jan 6, 2016
Approximately 60-80% of college students in the USA report a hookup experience in the form of a c... more Approximately 60-80% of college students in the USA report a hookup experience in the form of a casual sexual encounter between individuals without the expectation of a dating or romantic relationship. Given the potential health risk posed by these sexual encounters, the need exists to critically examine this cultural phenomenon on college campuses. Yet, the existing hookup literature is overwhelming White and often exclusive of historically marginalised populations such as Black women. Accordingly, this paper examines the role of the intersecting identities of race and gender and other social factors that influence the sexual health and wellbeing of Black women on US college campuses. Specifically, we explore issues related to the gender ratio disparities present on college campuses, relationship power imbalances, inconsistent condom use and low sexual-risk perception. Moving forward, hookup research needs to utilise an intersectional approach; we offer specific suggestions for the...
Journal of prenatal & perinatal psychology & health : APPPAH, 2015
This article reports on qualitative research into the experience of couples who chose to continue... more This article reports on qualitative research into the experience of couples who chose to continue their pregnancies after receiving a lethal fetal diagnosis, and to embrace the parenting of their baby in the shortened time they have. This analysis of interview data is part of a larger research project describing parents' experiences of continuing pregnancy with a known lethal fetal diagnosis (LFD).
Background: As priorities of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy, care linkage and engagement for HIV-... more Background: As priorities of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy, care linkage and engagement for HIV-positive persons are important steps in the reduction and prevention of HIV transmission. Late or lack of diagnosis of an HIV infection has public health consequences (e.g., unknown disease transmission) and misses opportunities for individuals to gain benefits from early healthcare services (e.g., antiretroviral therapy, prophylaxis for opportunistic infections). Timely care engagement has important benefits, including quicker viral suppression, reduced morbidity and mortality, and provides opportunities to utilize biomedical innovations, including treatment as prevention. A better understanding of the factors affecting HIV care linkage and engagement is essential for improved individual and community level health. Theoretical Framework Hypothesis: A social-ecological model was utilized to understand HIV-positive persons’ experiences (e.g., service access and utilizations, barriers and ...
Background: To meet the National HIV/AIDS Strategy goal of rapid linkage to, and engagement in, c... more Background: To meet the National HIV/AIDS Strategy goal of rapid linkage to, and engagement in, care for HIV-infected individuals, a better understanding of the factors affecting this process is essential. Accordingly, the study's purpose was to identify multilevel factors affecting care behaviors. Methods: Six focus groups were conducted with HIV-positive individuals in urban North Carolina (15 women, 16 men, and 2 male to female transgender individuals; age: 20-60, X=41; 17 parents). Data were managed using Atlas ti 6.2; content analysis examined factors related to care behaviors within a social-ecological framework. Results: Data revealed individual and structural factors affecting HIV-related care. Individual factors included: age, gender, time since diagnosis, fertility desires/parental status, perceptions of respect from staff, and experiences with treatment side effects. Structural factors included: funding-related policies (e.g., insurance, Medicaid), access to transport...
Maternal and Child Health Journal, 2013
This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the ad... more This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the addition of a cover page and metadata, and formatting for readability, but it is not yet the definitive version of record. This version will undergo additional copyediting, typesetting and review before it is published in its final form, but we are providing this version to give early visibility of the article. Please note that, during the production process, errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain.
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Papers by Dr. Wendasha Hall