Sexual assault is an irrefutable trauma; an insult to the autonomy of the person forced into sexual acts. Sexual assault sequelae range from physical injury and acute traumatic stress, to pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (HIV PEP) following sexual assault may decrease the likelihood of HIV transmission. Many patients seeking healthcare post-sexual assault either do not initiate HIV PEP or do not complete the 28-day medication regimen. In this qualitative interpretive description, we interviewed sexual assault patients (N=11) about HIV PEP discussions/reactions, attitudes and understanding related to HIV and PEP, and barriers and facilitators of HIV PEP acceptance and adherence. Participants described a process of losing and reclaiming control throughout post-assault care and follow-up; and how this affected HIV PEP-related decision-making. Most HIV PEP decisions were described as a process of reclaiming control over one outcome while simultaneously losing control of another.

Objective

To elicit feedback on the acceptability, usability, and dissemination options for the bMOREsafe smartphone application (app). Participants: Forty-nine students and six service-providers provided feedback on the bMOREsafe app between April 2015 and March 2016. Methods: Students responded to an anonymous online survey and providers participated in semi-structured interviews. Descriptive and thematic analyses were completed. Results: Students rated the app as useful, however less applicable to themselves and their peers. Students stated they would be most receptive to recommendations about the app from peers and social media. Qualitative data from service providers fell into three main categories: trauma-informed aspects; inclusivity vs. specificity; and within an app, language matters. Conclusions: Smartphone technology can provide confidential information and resources to help students make decisions related to sexual assault or intimate partner violence care. While students and providers identified apps as a useful strategy for sharing this information, dissemination challenges remain.

The persistence of the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a multitude of changes in the ways nursing education, research, and practice are carried out. In addition to the demands of shifting to remote education as well as finding alternatives to direct patient care learning, nursing faculty and students are directly confronting morbidity and mortality among classmates, colleagues, friends, and family members. These experiences unquestionably meet criteria for traumatic experience, and this must be accounted for in nursing education as they can have detrimental effects on learning, teaching, and well-being. The current generation of nursing students and faculty will necessarily carry the traumatic experiences of this chaotic time into workplace, classroom, and community settings. Understanding how to manage this trauma appropriately not only supports individuals through this experience but provides increased opportunity and capacity for the provision of trauma-informed care (TIC) to patients and colleagues going forward. This paper describes some of the ways COVID-19-related trauma may affect nursing faculty and students; and proposes application of TIC principles to research, education, and practice environments to enhance well-being and overall functioning in the profession.

This study examines trends in violence research funding within and across National Institutes of Health (NIH) institutes/centers from 2011 to 2020.

Background

Nonoccupational postexposure prophylaxis (nPEP) for HIV following sexual assault may decrease the likelihood of HIV transmission.

Objective

The purpose of this exploratory chart review study was to examine factors associated with patients accepting post-sexual assault nPEP at three forensic nurse examiner programs in urban settings.

Methods

Forensic nursing charts of patients presenting for acute sexual assault care were reviewed as part of a mixed-methods study.

Results

Patients assaulted by more than one or an unknown number of assailants were over 12 times more likely to accept the offer of nPEP (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 12.66, 95% CI [2.77, 57.82]). In cases where no condom was used (aOR = 8.57, 95% CI [1.59, 46.10]) or when any injury to the anus or genitalia was noted (aOR = 4.10, 95% CI [1.57, 10.75]), patients were more likely to accept nPEP. Patients with any injury to the face or head were less likely to initiate nPEP (aOR = 0.32, 95% CI [0.11, 0.97]).

Discussion

This study is an important first step in understanding factors associated with nPEP acceptance after sexual assault.