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IJERPH
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Promoting Women's Sexual and Reproductive Health
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Promoting Women's Sexual and Reproductive Health

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Global Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2025 | Viewed by 2975

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Mandy J. Hill

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Population Health and Health Disparities, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
Interests: sexual health; health equity; women’s health; prevention science
Dr. Angela M. Heads

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faillace Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77054, USA
Interests: substance use prevention; women’s health; HIV prevention; trauma informed care

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Globally, the full extension of humanity, complete with autonomous health decision-making, has yet to be extended to women. The World Health Organization shed light on the significance of biological sex on the health of women because many societies socially disadvantage women through discriminatory actions, policies, and norms that stem from sociocultural factors. Women and girls across the globe are experiencing increased vulnerability to sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. Theoretical frameworks like the Theory of Gender and Power describe the inequity in gender-based power between partners in relationships. Threats to the overall health of a woman are driven by social norms that decrease access to education and employment, two primary constructs of one’s socioeconomic status. These threats are exacerbated by pervasive acts of violence against women of a physical, sexual, and emotional nature. Several research agendas are underway to counter gender-based norms and systems that aim to disempower women. Prospective studies testing behavioral interventions with adaptation frameworks, implementation science, randomized controlled trials, comparative effectiveness approaches, and other scientifically rigorous approaches to increase access to reproductive justice and sexual health, normalize sex positivity, and empower women to gain autonomy over their sexual decisions are invited for this Special Issue.

Prof. Dr. Mandy J. Hill
Dr. Angela M. Heads
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • reproductive justice
  • women’s health
  • reproductive health
  • bodily autonomy
  • sexual health
  • HIV and STI prevention
  • sex-positivity
  • pre-exposure and post-exposure prophylaxis
  • stigma
  • access to care

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 600 KiB  
Article
Sexual and Reproductive Health Behaviors Among Young Black Women in the U.S. Before the COVID-19 Pandemic: Insights for Addressing Future Challenges in STI and Pregnancy Prevention Within Key Female Populations
by Laurenia C. Mangum and Jaih Craddock
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(5), 793; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22050793 - 17 May 2025
Viewed by 469
Abstract
New STI/HIV diagnoses disproportionately impact U.S. Black cisgender women at higher rates compared to other racial/ethnic U.S. cisgender women. Biomedical HIV prevention interventions, such as HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, have demonstrated lower uptake among Black women. Given the need to further develop prevention interventions [...] Read more.
New STI/HIV diagnoses disproportionately impact U.S. Black cisgender women at higher rates compared to other racial/ethnic U.S. cisgender women. Biomedical HIV prevention interventions, such as HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, have demonstrated lower uptake among Black women. Given the need to further develop prevention interventions that meet the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) needs of U.S. Black women, this study aimed to identify and characterize condom use behaviors, sexual communication efficacy, and SRH healthcare utilization among sexually experienced young Black women (YBW) aged 18–25 (N = 206). Participants completed a self-administered questionnaire assessing sexual and conception vulnerability, sexual/reproductive healthcare utilization, and sexual communication efficacy. Descriptive statistics and univariate analyses were conducted to identify correlations in sexual and reproductive behaviors. The results showed that 32% of YBW used a condom during their last sexual encounter. Five distinct trends in condom use were identified, three of which included condomless vaginal/oral sex. YBW reported high levels of sexual communication with sexual partners and consistent engagement in sexual/reproductive health care, including abortion care. Young Black women have diverse sexual/reproductive health needs and require culturally responsive patient-centered clinical practices aimed at reducing STI/HIV rates and unintended pregnancies. Future research could examine healthcare providers’ understanding of Black women’s SRH priorities and assess how this knowledge aligns with or diverges from established clinical guidelines and best practices. Such inquiries could illuminate potential gaps in provider education and clinical practice, ultimately informing the development of care models that are both evidence-based and responsive to the lived experiences of young Black women. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Promoting Women's Sexual and Reproductive Health)
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38 pages, 1083 KiB  
Article
A Qualitative Study Exploring How the Perspectives and Experiences of Cisgender Black Women Inform Their Readiness to Consider Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis for HIV Prevention
by Mandy J. Hill, Amber I. Sophus, Aaliyah Gray and Jaylen I. Wright
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(4), 558; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22040558 - 3 Apr 2025
Viewed by 486
Abstract
Attention to increasing pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use among cisgender Black women (CBW) in the southern United States (U.S.) is necessary to achieve national 2030 Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) goals. Qualitative exploration of CBW’s readiness to use PrEP is necessary to discern whether [...] Read more.
Attention to increasing pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use among cisgender Black women (CBW) in the southern United States (U.S.) is necessary to achieve national 2030 Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) goals. Qualitative exploration of CBW’s readiness to use PrEP is necessary to discern whether practical solutions to addressing PrEP uptake within this HIV-vulnerable population are feasible. Focus group discussions (n = 5) and key informant interviews (n = 3) in two EHE jurisdictions in Houston and Austin, Texas were used to explore how perspectives and lived experiences may serve as facilitators and/or barriers to PrEP readiness among 20 CBW. Codes highlighted facilitators and barriers to PrEP readiness. Facilitators involved positive experiences with the healthcare system, high perceived HIV vulnerability, and prioritizing PrEP as self-care. Barriers encompassed concerns with sexual relationship dynamics, mental health implications, and access to humane treatment within the healthcare system. High perceived vulnerability of HIV acquisition is related to an awareness that CBW may not know the entirety of their partner’s sexual activities. Findings indicate precursors of PrEP readiness and challenge the notion that CBW have low perceived vulnerability of acquiring HIV. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Promoting Women's Sexual and Reproductive Health)
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16 pages, 275 KiB  
Article
Where Are the Knowledge Gaps in Menopause Across a Population? A National Cross-Sectional Survey in Wales
by Catherine A. Sharp, Nicola Dennis, Gemma Hobson, Marysia Hamilton-Kirkwood and Karen Hughes
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(2), 287; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22020287 - 14 Feb 2025
Viewed by 898
Abstract
Background: A knowledge gap exists on population understanding and perspectives of menopause. To better support females, it is important to understand different population groups’ perceived knowledge of and attitudes towards menopause. This study explored perceived knowledge of menopause, awareness of menopausal symptoms, perceived [...] Read more.
Background: A knowledge gap exists on population understanding and perspectives of menopause. To better support females, it is important to understand different population groups’ perceived knowledge of and attitudes towards menopause. This study explored perceived knowledge of menopause, awareness of menopausal symptoms, perceived negative impacts of menopause on females’ lives, and attitudes towards menopause. Methods: A national cross-sectional survey (n = 1020) was conducted with residents in Wales aged 16+ years as part of a larger population panel using a multi-method approach (online, telephone, and face-to-face), stratified by NHS health board area, age, sex, deprivation, and ethnicity. Questions on menopause were developed by the research team. Results: Nearly a third (31.1%) of participants reported having low knowledge of menopause, with younger age groups and males reporting the lowest knowledge. Hot flushes were the most recognised menopause symptom (92.2%). The symptom with the greatest gap in awareness between age groups, sexes, and deprivation quintiles was problems with memory or concentration. Most participants perceived menopause to have a large negative impact on females’ mental health (76.1%), working life (69.7%) and physical health (69.6%). Females and 30–49-year-olds were more likely to perceive large negative impacts across all three domains. Most participants (77.8%) agreed that more public discussion is needed on menopause to increase understanding. The greatest support for increasing public discussion was found amongst females and people aged 30–49 years old. Conclusions: At a population level, perceived knowledge of menopause and associated symptoms and perceived impacts on females’ lives varied across socio-demographic groups. While males were less knowledgeable than females, most males perceived negative impacts on females’ lives and agreed with action to improve the menopausal environment. Increasing knowledge in those who experience menopause and in those who support those who experience menopause could help females have a more positive transition process. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Promoting Women's Sexual and Reproductive Health)
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