Invitation for Oklahomans to participate in Sexual & Reproductive Health research

A graduate student researcher with the University of Central Oklahoma in the Wellness Management- Health Promotion Program is currently conducting a research study titled “Initiation and Utilization of Sexual and Reproductive Health Services: A Comparison by Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity.”

Maria Mancebo, board member of the Oklahoma City AIDS Walk, is the graduate student researcher with the University of Central Oklahoma conducting the study.

Individuals 18-25 years of age and residing in Oklahoma may take part in this project. The questionnaire will take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete.

Participants are asked to provide demographic information such as age, race, ethnicity, educational attainment, family structure, income level, relationship status, religiosity, and health insurance status. Additional survey questions will ask participants about their gender identity, sexual orientation, initiation and utilization of sexual and reproductive health services, sexual risk history and perceived barriers to care. 

Mancebo said she believes this research will ensure more effective public health interventions that are designed to support the sexual health of LGBTQ+ young people.

“Existing research in this area is largely limited in capturing the diverse needs of sexual and gender minority individuals,” said Mancebo. “To close this gap, we are seeking to examine the barriers and facilitators associated with early initiation of sexual and reproductive health service utilization by comparing sexual orientation and gender identity among Oklahoma emerging adults.”

This project will be utilized for a graduate thesis project for the Department of Kinesiology and Health Studies and has been reviewed by the University of Central Oklahoma Institutional Review Board and determined to be classified as “exempt” human subjects research.

“Completion of the survey is voluntary and anyone 18 to 25 years of age can participate,” Mancebo said. “Responses are confidential and present no risk beyond those present in daily life.

To complete the survey, please follow the link www.tinyurl.com/SRHsurvey2020.

Feel free to direct any questions related to this study to Maria Mancebo at mmancebo@uco.edu.  

The Gayly. 4/23/2020 @ 12:30 p.m. CST.