Protection of Human Participants
The participants of the research were sexually active girls aged between 13-17 years. The research was a clinic-based study and participants were able to various benefits of enrolling in the study. The participant could be enrolled in a youth development program; they were able to enjoy various services offered in the program. They were engaged in peer leadership programs and involved in a service-learning program for 18 months. The participants were briefed on what the study would involve since there were no serious risks involved in the research; it was a research based on free will from the participants. Participants had to go through a trial referred as the Prime Time; 1434 girls participated in the trial; 571 were eligible form the research and 253 girls agreed to participate in the research after provided their written consent. The institutional review boards of the University of Minnesota and the clinics involved in the research approved the study and protocols involved. The participants involved voluntarily since it is not all the participants who were eligible for the study were selected; it is only those who had willingly agreed that were selected. Since most of the girls were minors, their parents and guardians were involved in seeking consent.
Data Collection
The research focused on two measures that determine consistency in condom use, these measures are global and collaborate specific which form part of the independent research variables. There were various dependent variables within the research such of research participants and sex partners among the research participants. The researchers have, however, not clarified on the key dependent and independent variables, however, after going through the research paper one gets to understand the variables involved. The data collection method started with the Prime Time trail where the participants were selected from a given sample. After the participants were all selected, baseline data was collected using A-CASI methods after which girls were randomized into different study conditions. During the baseline and 6-12 months of the research period the girl answered surveys questions about contraceptive use and sexual behavior; this was a systematic method of data collection in the research. Use of surveys ensured that participants were able to provide research information at different stages in the research and to analyses, the consistency of the information provided. After 12 months, those who had met the criteria proceeded to the next research stage, which took six months. Data was fully collected through answering questions which were on the A-CASI.Since most of the information collected was private, researchers assured participants of their privacy and sometimes they were compelled to carry the research in a private place. The questions were asked on a face-to-face basis; therefore, any clarification that needed to be made was easily made. Face to face, interviews offer an advantage in terms of correction of any emerging errors than other methods such as questionnaires. Control instruments were used in the interviews and questionnaires, when the participants were being asked about global condom use consistency, they were provided with five answers’ participant was supposed to select an answer from the five responses provided. The responses ensured that any information that the participants provided was relevant to the research; this is important in eliminating errors and irrelevant information. For partner specific condom use consistency, there were four responses provided .It was easily to compare the two research variables based on the responses given.
Data Management and Analysis
The research was based trajectory groups, in analyzing the data provided; statistical modeling and subjective classification rules were the key methods that were applicable in this case. The researchers used subjective classification rules since the research sample was small, and there were only three points for analyzing the change. Trajectory groups were then formed based on the measures reported on consistency of condom use. All participants were categorized into five trajectory groups; one was use to represent condom use while zero represent lack of condom use. Tabulation was presented on the table depending on the distribution of participants. The analysis was then represented on the final analytic, which was a comparison of global condom use versus partner specific use. Pearson’s chi-square was used in cross tabulating the data while final analysis was done using SPSS program. There was no comparison of the research findings since there was no previous research that would have been used.
Findings
The findings show the comparison between global and collaborate specific condom use. In each of the trajectory, there was information provided on girls who used condoms and those who did not use them and relationship it has with the baseline information. The findings are a reflection of the society; there are various factors that determine condom use among sexual partners. Nurses can use this information especially during civic education programs and also when addressing ways or reducing transmission of sexually transmitted diseases .There were various limitations in the research such as a research sample; a bigger research sample would have made the results more feasible. The researchers have also provided reference material that is useful for future research as well as analyzing this research (Burns & Grove, 2011).
Nursing Research. Adolescent Condom Use Consistency Over Time: Global Versus P :. Retrieved April 4, 2014, from http://journals.lww.com/nursingresearchonline/Fulltext/2011/05001/Adolescent_Condom_Use_Consistency_Over_Time_.8.aspx?WT.mc_id=HPxADx20100319xMP
Burns, N., Grove, S. K., & Gray, J. (2011). Understanding nursing research: building an evidence-based practice (5th ed.). Maryland Heights, MO: Elsevier/Saunders.
Polit, D. F. (2010). Statistics and data analysis for nursing research (2nd ed.). Boston: Pearson.
Work Cited
