Date of Conferral

2022

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Health Services

Advisor

Cynthia Newell

Abstract

AbstractThe Zika virus does not have a known treatment, despite ongoing efforts since 2016 to develop a vaccine. The Zika virus has been labeled by World Health Organization and the Department of Defense as a threat to the readiness, resiliency, and preparedness of military service members and dependents that currently travel or serve in areas where high concentrations of the virus are present. As such, it is important to understand how the military community understanding of the Zika virus is impacted by military health services and education. A phenomenological qualitative approach was utilized to conduct this study. Twenty active-duty military personnel and dependents ages 18 to 45 volunteered to participate to discuss their experiences. The health belief model and theory of planned behavior served as the theoretical framework to guide the phenomenological qualitative study approach to exploring participants experiences. Analysis of collected data included a comprehensive description of the phenomenon experienced by the study participants detailing their responses to the research questions, coding of phrases related to the phenomenon, identification of themes, justification of research findings, and providing a comprehensive analysis and description of the collected data. Findings revealed that participants had a limited understanding of the Zika virus, harmful health behaviors, preventative actions, associated risk, and access to education regarding the threat of the Zika virus. Participants responses revealed their willingness to communicate with a military health provider. These findings can be utilized to bring about social change by providing healthcare providers insight regarding how to construct a military community focused campaign to better meet Zika virus education needs in the future.

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