Male Reproductive Health in Virginia: Are Nurse Practitioners Talking?

     Male reproductive health is an emerging sphere in health care services.  Even the Healthy People initiative begun in 1979 did not address multiple objectives related to male reproductive health (MRH) with operational definitions, baseline data and target measures until Healthy People 2020.  As reproductive health care is traditionally associated with females, males may not be accustomed to receiving reproductive health services.  Although nurse practitioners (NPs) are crucial providers for reproductive health services, their integration of MRH care in Virginia is unknown. 

     This pilot descriptive prospective study with cross sectional data collection was designed to assess challenges to providing MRH by NPs in Virginia and also the extent MRH was addressed in terms of Healthy People 2020 objectives.  Data was obtained by an anonymous survey of NPs providing care to males ages 15-44 years of age.  Demographic data captured from 69 participants includes NP age, gender, race, years in practice, credentialing, work setting, and geographic setting (rural, urban or suburban).   There are numerous implications at system, community and individuals levels such as the significance of MRH, cognizance of MRH Healthy People 2020 objectives, recognition of obstacles affecting the delivery of services leading to identification of plausible solutions thus increasing the number of males receiving appropriate reproductive health services.