2016/01/01 by Lisa A. Braun, Lisa Braun, Holly P. Kennedy +3 · 21 citations
Medicine · Nursing · Psychology · Social Sciences · #Environmental health #Gender, Security, and Conflict #Genitourinary system #Gynecology #Health care #Internal medicine #Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum #Medicine #Military health #Military medicine #Military personnel #Nursing #Political science #Population #Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research #Public health #Reproductive health
paper · pdf · doi:10.7205/milmed-d-15-00242
published in Military Medicine 181(1), 35-49 (Oxford University Press)
openalex publication_date 2016/01/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/30
OBJECTIVES: This integrated literature review evaluated research on genitourinary and reproductive health care needs and gender-specific health care delivery for active duty U.S. military women, a growing population in the armed forces. METHODS: A literature search was conducted for publications on genitourinary and reproductive health published between 2008 and 2014 using keywords and terms utilized in previous systematic literature reviews in similar military populations. RESULTS: Previous literature reviews concentrated on broader health care issues of military women. This review updates and expands the literature identified in three previous reviews. Publications were evaluated for relevancy to U.S. military women's health and a sample of 82 publications was included. Five broad categories were addressed across the literature: (1) pregnancy health, (2) deployment and preventive health, (3) sexually transmitted infections, (4) family planning and contraceptive services, and (5) sexual violations. DISCUSSION: Health care challenges are evolving within a changing military environment that includes a greater integration of women. Contraceptive, genitourinary-reproductive health care access, and self-diagnostic tools for easily treatable vulvovaginal conditions can empower military women and improve quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: Studies examining military gender-specific health care delivery are limited. Research to understand factors important for women in a changing military environment can improve health care delivery and outcomes, and military readiness.