Shipboard women's health care: Provider perceptions

Abstract

Women have served aboard auxiliary U.S. Navy ships as integrated members of the shipboard work force since 1978. In 1994, women first started serving aboard combatant ships with the inclusion of women in the work force of the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D Eisenhower (CVN 69). The provision of the highest standard of medical care for both men and women is a priority at all levels in the U.S. Navy. This study assesses the perceptions of shipboard health care providers regarding their ability to provide adequate women's health care. This evaluation was performed by conducting a personal interview with the senior health care provider of each of 32 ships on which women are integrated members of the work force. Medical department representatives reported that most ships have training programs for birth control (90.6%), sexually transmitted diseases (96.9%), and the Navy pregnancy policy (84.4%). Health care providers also reported limitations in available supplies (i.e., contraceptives, pregnancy tests, and sexually transmitted disease tests).