First weeks as a research assistant!

IMG_2784My time spent working with Dr. Alyssa Lederer has been enriching and encouraging thus far. Our research project involves looking at young people’s perceptions of the terms sexually transmitted disease (STD) and sexually transmitted infection (STI). We are working to determine if, and how adolescents differentiate between the two terms. These terms are often used synonymously in health education however there is conjecture in the medical and public health fields that people perceive the two phrases differently. Through my sex education at home in Oregon, and training as a peer health educator and get yourself tested educator I have always used STI. For this reason this research is particularly interesting to me.

Dr. Lederer and I have finalized our coding by grouping together responses that reflect common themes. We are now moving towards writing our paper. Recently we turned in an abstract to the American Public Health Association, in hopes that our work will be accepted to be presented during their annual conference. Dr. Lederer is a pleasure to work with by pushing me to develop my writing and research skills. Though our research is most applicable to sex education our dedication to reproductive health and reproductive justice is evident in the conversations we have during our weekly meetings. I am excited to continue working towards our final paper together, and hope that someday it will be published work!

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