Assessing The Awareness And Behaviors Of U.S. High School Nurses With Respect To The Female Athlete Triad

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of the present study was to assess knowledge, attitudes, and communication and referral behaviors of U.S. high school nurses about the Female Athlete Triad. METHODS: A random sample of 1000 U.S. high school nurses who are members of the National Association of School Nurses were contacted by email and invited to participate in an online survey about student health. Survey questions assessed knowledge, attitudes and communication behaviors with coaches and athletes with respect to disorders of the Triad. Content areas covered included knowledge about the Triad, communication and referral behaviors, school policies, information needs, and demographics. RESULTS: Three hundred and seventy nurses answered survey questions, for a response rate of 37.0%. Only 19% of the nurses were able to identify the three components of the Triad, and only 25% reported that they work proactively with coaches to help prevent health issues among their female athletes. However, over 95% of the nurses surveyed expressed interest in learning more about the Triad. Results also indicate substantial between-nurse variability in knowledge, and a consistent interest in learning more about the Female Athlete Triad. CONCLUSIONS: The school nurses responding to our survey demonstrated a lack of knowledge about the Female Athlete Triad and the interrelatedness of the components of the Triad, but indicated their desire to learn more about the topic. Based on the results of this study, we believe that school nurses should be provided with educational resources and specific guidelines for recognizing, screening, and treating student athletes who present to them or are referred by coaches with concerns of the Triad. Nurses with a strong foundation of knowledge in this area would be able to act proactively to help educate the coaches and female athletes at their schools, to help prevent, recognize, and treat Triad related health consequences.