Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects
Access Control
Open Access
Embargo Period
4-6-2017
Degree Program
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Degree Track
Family Nurse Practioner
Year Degree Awarded
2017
Month Degree Awarded
May
Keywords
HSV-1, oral sex, oral-genital transmission, prevention, education
Advisor
Deborah Rosenbloom
DNP Project Chair
Deborah Rosenbloom
DNP Project Member Name
Pamela Aselton
DNP Project Outside Member Name
Patricia Berube
Abstract
Herpes simplex 1 (HSV-1) disease transmission to the genitals has life long health consequences for young women. The aim of this DNP project was to assess knowledge among female college freshmen regarding HSV-1 transmission to the genitals during oral sex.
A voluntary and anonymous online survey was e-mailed to 648 female college freshmen using their college e-mail account. A 19% (N=121) survey response rate was achieved. Seventy-three percent of the college females reported receiving oral sex. Ninety-five percent of the college females knew the possible risk of HSV-1 transmission during oral sex. Ninety-six percent of the female students did not use a barrier device when they received oral sex. None of the females identified themselves as being at high risk for contracting HSV-1 and more than 60% were not concerned about contracting genital HSV-1.
Survey findings were presented to college health services staff through informal discussion and a brief movie. Oral sex and HSV-1 teaching information was also provided to the staff to encourage dialogue between students and providers. Dental dam barriers were left with staff to promote safer oral sex practices among the students. The results of the survey did not demonstrate a knowledge deficit of HSV-1 disease or possible HSV-1 transmission to the genitals during oral sex. However, the survey did reveal gaps in knowledge regarding the students’ own susceptibility to HSV-1 through unprotected oral sex, skin-to-skin transmission risk of HSV-1, and barrier device availability for oral sex.
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