Muheriwa Matemba Sadandaula Rose, Abboud Sarah, Jeremiah Rohan D, Crooks Natasha, Alcena-Stiner Danielle C, Collen Lucia Yvone, Zimba Chifundo Colleta, Castellano Christina, Evans Alicia L, Johnson Dina, Harris Tremain, LeBlanc Natalie Marie
College of Nursing, University of Illinois Chicago, 845 S Damen, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
School of Nursing, University of Rochester, 255 Crittenden Blvd, Rochester, NY 14620, USA.
Healthcare (Basel). 2025 Jul 16;13(14):1711. doi: 10.3390/healthcare13141711.
: Sexual health research involving young adolescents remains scarce despite rising rates of early sexual debut, pregnancies, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in this population. We explored community stakeholders' perspectives on engaging young adolescents in sexual health research in Western New York to inform strategies for engaging young adolescents in sexual health research. : This qualitative descriptive study was conducted from April 2022 to June 2023. Seventeen community stakeholders, including health education teachers, youth counselors, and adolescent health providers, participated in semi-structured in-depth interviews. Data were analyzed using conventional content analysis, managed by MAXQDA 2020. The rigor and trustworthiness of the data were ensured through triangulation with observations, peer debriefing, team analysis, and respondent validation. : Participants were predominantly female (94.1%), 52.9% Black/African American, 41.2% White, and 5.9% Caucasian-Indian American, and aged 23-59 years. Four themes emerged: perspectives on conducting sexual health research with young adolescents, recruitment strategies, sexual health questions appropriate for young adolescents, and building readiness for participation in sexual health research. Participants reported the need for sexual health research with young adolescents and recommended building a trusting relationship and involving schools, parents, and trusted community organizations in the research process. Suggested research questions included those related to awareness of sex, STIs, available resources, experiences with sexual education, and desired support. The findings also revealed the need to initiate sexual health conversations early when children start asking questions, as a foundation for meaningful participation in sexual health research. : The findings suggest that sexual health research with young adolescents is feasible and necessary, with implications for the design of developmentally appropriate sexual health research and interventions grounded in trust and community collaboration. Future research should explore the perspectives of caregivers and young adolescents to inform studies and programs that are attuned to young adolescents' developmental needs.
尽管该人群中初次性行为、怀孕和性传播感染（STIs）的发生率不断上升，但针对青少年的性健康研究仍然稀缺。我们探讨了纽约西部社区利益相关者对于让青少年参与性健康研究的看法，以为让青少年参与性健康研究的策略提供信息。：这项定性描述性研究于2022年4月至2023年6月进行。17名社区利益相关者参与了半结构化深度访谈，其中包括健康教育教师、青少年顾问和青少年健康提供者。使用MAXQDA 2020管理数据，并采用传统内容分析法进行分析。通过观察、同行汇报、团队分析和受访者验证进行三角互证，确保了数据的严谨性和可信度。：参与者主要为女性（94.1%），52.9%为黑人/非裔美国人，41.2%为白人，5.9%为白种印第安裔美国人；年龄在23至59岁之间。出现了四个主题：对开展青少年性健康研究的看法、招募策略、适合青少年的性健康问题以及为参与性健康研究做好准备。参与者报告了开展青少年性健康研究的必要性，并建议建立信任关系，让学校、家长和受信任的社区组织参与研究过程。建议的研究问题包括与性意识、性传播感染、可用资源、性教育经历以及所需支持相关的问题。研究结果还表明，当孩子开始提问时，尽早开启性健康对话很有必要，这是有意义地参与性健康研究的基础。：研究结果表明，针对青少年的性健康研究是可行且必要的，这对设计基于信任和社区合作的适合青少年发展阶段的性健康研究及干预措施具有启示意义。未来的研究应探讨照顾者和青少年的观点，以为符合青少年发展需求的研究和项目提供信息。
