Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41930565›Full record

SynthesisWomen's health (London, England)

Combating sexually transmitted infections in U.S. active-duty servicewomen: A social-ecological view of sociodemographic risk factors.

Grace Smolen, Julia Donavant, Karen Grigg, Ellison Henry, Korie Rice, Minzhi Xing

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Women's health (London, England). The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Grace SmolenDepartment of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA.ORCID 0009-0005-0776-5254
Julia DonavantCharles Stewart Mott Department of Public Health, Michigan State University, Flint, MI, USA.ORCID 0009-0005-3760-8743
Karen GriggHealth Sciences Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA.ORCID 0000-0002-3023-1382
Ellison HenryDepartment of Public Health Leadership and Practice, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
Korie RiceDepartment of Maternal and Child Health, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
Minzhi XingDepartment of Public Health Leadership and Practice, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundSexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a significant health issue among U.S. military personnel. Active-duty servicewomen (ADSW) make up <20% of the U.S. military yet account for more than 33% of all military STI diagnoses. STI prevention is critical to military health and readiness.

objectivesThis review sought to (1) examine STI prevalence and risk factors among ADSW, (2) identify disparities by age, race, and rank, and (3) evaluate barriers to STI prevention and care. It also summarized evidence-based interventions to guide military public health strategies.

designThis systematic review of peer-reviewed articles and military health reports examined how demographic factors affect STI rates. DATA SOURCES AND

methodsFour databases were searched with a medical librarian's guidance using STI- and military-related terms. Two reviewers independently screened 1833 records, selecting 17 studies (1996-2025) that met inclusion criteria. Data were narratively synthesized. Risk of bias was assessed using Covidence's standard domains.

resultsOf the 1833 articles and reports screened from databases including PubMed and ProQuest, 17 were included. Preliminary analysis showed that ADSW have higher STI rates than servicemen. STI rates were highest among those who were young, junior enlisted, Black, and reported binge drinking. ADSW <25 years have the highest STI rates, with those aged 17-24 accounting for over 60% of chlamydia cases. Racial disparities exist within STI incidence rates; Black ADSW <25 years old experience the highest chlamydia rates (10,500 per 100,000), twice as high as White ADSW. Confidentiality concerns, stigma and limited access to healthcare services hinder care. Proposed interventions include enhancing military-specific sexual health education, expanding access to sexual health care, and implementing risk reduction programs.

conclusionHigh STI rates among young ADSW highlight the need for targeted interventions. Prioritizing ADSW's health helps achieve the nation's public health goals, strengthening population health and force sustainability.

Indexed as

Military PersonnelSexually Transmitted DiseasesAdultFemaleHumansPrevalenceRisk FactorsSociodemographic FactorsUnited Statesactive-duty militaryinterventionsmilitary sexual traumaservicewomensexual healthsexual health stigmasexually transmitted infectionsSTIwomen’s health

Identifiers

PMID41930565
PMCPMC13051089

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.