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Critical caring theory and public health nursing advocacy for comprehensive sexual health education
Author(s) -
Dickson Elizabeth,
Lobo Marie L.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
public health nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.471
H-Index - 55
eISSN - 1525-1446
pISSN - 0737-1209
DOI - 10.1111/phn.12369
Subject(s) - public health nursing , nursing , public health , health education , sex education , sexual behavior , reproductive health , patient advocacy , medicine , medline , psychology , sociology , human sexuality , political science , environmental health , clinical psychology , gender studies , population , law
Abstract Public health nurses ( PHNs ) often work with adolescent populations at risk for unplanned pregnancies who do not have access to comprehensive sexual health education ( CSHE ). Evidence‐based CSHE can have a significant protective effect on adolescent sexual behaviors. This article applies critical caring theory to public health nursing advocacy for CSHE . Critical caring theory defines the social justice work of PHN s as an expression of their caring as nurses. The lack of CSHE in schools for adolescents is a social justice issue, and PHNs can be important advocates. The purpose of this article is to explore how critical caring theory can inform public health nursing practice regarding the importance of CSHE advocacy with the goal of creating equitable access to CSHE for all adolescents.