Semester

Summer

Date of Graduation

2026

Document Type

Problem/Project Report

Degree Type

DNP

College

School of Nursing

Department

Family/Community Health

Committee Chair

Angel Smothers

Committee Member

Larry Buckland

Committee Member

Christina Hostutler

Committee Member

Matthew Johnson

Abstract

Introduction: Women with substance use disorder (SUD) face higher rates of unplanned pregnancy, reproductive infections, and delayed prenatal care. Faith community nurses (FCNs) often already serve within this community and have a long history of promoting public health interventions. However, they lack the knowledge and confidence in sexual and reproductive health (SRH) education.

Evidence Review: A literature review identified barriers to SRH care for women with SUD and the role of FCNs in community and public health interventions. Evidence supports providing FCNs with the knowledge and skills to deliver SRH education and support for women with SUD using trauma-informed and evidence-based approaches.

Purpose: The purpose of this quality improvement project was to implement a reproductive health curriculum for faith community nurses serving women in SUD recovery, with the goal of increasing access to accurate information, providing structure for referrals and promoting informed, autonomous health decisions.

Intervention: This project developed and implemented a reproductive health curriculum and referral toolkit for FCNs, providing them with knowledge, resources and a comprehensive referral system to provide holistic SRH education to women in recovery from SUD.

Methods: Developed using the Iowa Model for Evidence-Based Practice, the virtual curriculum included six sessions covering anatomy, contraception, sexually transmitted infection prevention, healthy relationships, and navigating healthcare services. Knowledge, confidence, and intent to apply the material were evaluated through pre- and post- and Likert scale surveys. Nurses who completed the curriculum received forty hours of continuing education toward state licensure.

Results: While six FCNs were recruited, only two completed the entirety of the curriculum, demonstrating increases in knowledge and confidence scores and were able to note at least one concrete strategy to implement SRH care into their practice. Consistently noted barriers included limited access to local obstetric and reproductive health services with transportation concerns as a top priority.

Conclusions: Further expansion into other FCN organizations and underserved populations could be beneficial, as well as establishing a process to assess changes in practice and long-term patient level outcomes. Replicating this project with larger and more diverse FCN populations would strengthen the findings and provide valuable information as to how the curriculum could be adapted across different communities and practice settings.

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