Hey, I’m Hadya.

I conduct research that transforms how individuals approach sexual health education, focusing on research-driven solutions that empower humans with knowledge and resources to thrive.

About the Study

Bridging the Gap in Army Sexual Health Education

The U.S. Army trains Soldiers to be physically strong, mentally resilient, and mission-ready—but what about understanding their own bodies, relationships, and sexual health? Despite extensive training in combat readiness and operational effectiveness, many Soldiers receive little to no education on bodily autonomy, consent, healthy relationships, and access to sexual healthcare. The Army’s current approach to sexual health education is fragmented and reactive, primarily focusing on STI prevention, unintended pregnancies, and sexual misconduct training through SHARP. However, these efforts fail to address the broader institutional and cultural factors that shape Soldiers' understanding of sexual health and decision-making.

This study seeks to develop a Sexualities Education Program tailored to the unique needs of Soldiers, ensuring that sexual health education is comprehensive, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate. Through qualitative research and direct engagement with Soldiers, military healthcare providers, and DoD professionals, this study will examine barriers, gaps, and opportunities within existing Army training and healthcare systems. Using an intersectional socio-ecological framework and Participatory Action Research, this research will generate evidence-based recommendations for integrating sexual health education into Army wellness initiatives, such as Holistic Health and Fitness (H2F).

By reframing sexual health as a critical component of Army readiness, this study aims to empower Soldiers with the knowledge and skills necessary for informed decision-making, relationship-building, and overall well-being, ensuring they are not just ready for the battlefield, but for a sexual life.

Meet the Researcher

Hadyatou Diallo, MPH, Ph.D. Candidate
Principal Investigator

Army Veteran | Sexual Health Educator

I am Hadyatou Diallo, a Ph.D. candidate at the California Institute of Integral Studies, specializing in Human Sexuality. I hold a Master’s in Public Health and a Bachelor’s in Health and Wellness Promotion with a minor in Women and Gender Studies from Texas State University. As an Army combat veteran and current Army spouse, I have witnessed firsthand the gaps in sexual health education within military settings and the impact of inadequate education on Soldiers’ well-being, relationships, and healthcare access.

My research focuses on developing a Sexualities Education Program for the U.S. Army, ensuring that service members—especially younger Soldiers—receive comprehensive, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate sexual health education that extends beyond STI prevention and risk-reduction training. With a strong background in public health and human sexuality, my work is centered on empowering Soldiers with knowledge and resources to navigate bodily autonomy, consent, healthy relationships, and access to sexual healthcare.

I believe that sexual health is a key component of overall well-being and Soldier readiness, and my goal is to bridge the gap between research, policy, and real-world implementation to create lasting change in how the Army approaches sexual health education.

This research is deeply personal to me—not just as a scholar, but as someone who has served and continues to be connected to the military community. I invite you to join the conversation and help shape the future of military sexual health education.

Participants Needed for Dissertation Study

I am conducting my dissertation research on developing a Sexualities Education Program for the U.S. Army. This study aims to bridge the gaps in sexual health education by exploring how Soldiers, healthcare providers, and military leaders experience and perceive existing education and training and what improvements are needed.

I am recruiting participants for confidential, one-on-one interviews to share insights on sexuality and sexual health education, access to resources, and challenges within the Army. Participation is voluntary, and your experiences will help shape evidence-based recommendations for improving sexual health education in Army settings.

    • Active-duty Soldiers (any rank, non-healthcare and healthcare personnel)

    • Military healthcare providers (MDs, DOs, PAs, RNs, infectious disease and public health professionals)

    • Corp / Brigade / Battalion commanders and military leaders

    • DoD professionals working in prevention, resilience, or military training

    • Confidential, 1-on-1 interviews (1 hour, in-person or via Zoom)

    • Discussions about experiences with sexuality and sexual health education in the Army

    • Opportunity to enter a random drawing for one of six $30 Amazon e-gift cards

Your voice matters! This is your chance to contribute to an initiative that could improve the health, well-being, and readiness of Soldiers for years to come.

Next Steps: Get Involved

If you're interested in contributing to this study, the next step is to complete a brief screener survey to determine eligibility.

How to Participate:

Step 1: Click the button to access the screener survey.


Step 2: Answer a few short questions about your background and experience. It takes about 2 minutes.


Step 3: If eligible, you will receive further details about the study and next steps for participation.

Your participation is voluntary, and all responses will remain confidential. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me. Contact information is at the bottom of the site.

Together, we can work toward a more informed and prepared military community. Thank you for your time and interest!

What is a Dissertation Study?

A dissertation study is a major, original research project that is required to earn a doctoral degree (Ph.D.). It is an independent, in-depth investigation into a specific topic that contributes new knowledge, insights, or solutions to an academic field. Unlike regular coursework or research papers, a dissertation is a long-term project that involves extensive research, data collection, and analysis, often spanning multiple years.

For this study, I am conducting qualitative research to explore the development of a Sexualities Education Program for the U.S. Army, identifying gaps, barriers, and opportunities within military sexual health education. As part of the dissertation process, my research must be rigorously reviewed by academic advisors, follow strict ethical guidelines, and undergo approval by the university’s Human Research Review Committee (HRRC) to ensure it meets academic and ethical standards.

This study is designed to inform evidence-based recommendations for improving military sexual health education, and the findings will be compiled into a formal dissertation document that will be submitted, defended, and ultimately contribute to the broader academic and professional discourse on this topic. Participation in a dissertation study means contributing valuable insights that can help shape future research, policies, and real-world applications.

Published Article by Researcher

Research Article - Published September 2024

Medical gendered racism and Black women’s experiences of genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder in the USA – A conceptual exploration

View Article

FAQ

  • This study explores the development of a Sexualities Education Program within the U.S. Army to address gaps in sexual health education, STI prevention, and overall well-being of service members. It examines how sexual health education can be integrated into Army culture using an Intersectional Socio-Ecological Model.

  • Many Soldiers enter the Army with little to no formal sexual health education, leaving them unprepared to navigate bodily autonomy, consent, relationships, and access to healthcare. This study seeks to develop an evidence-based program to better equip Soldiers with the knowledge and skills needed for informed decision-making, personal well-being, and military readiness.

  • This research is being conducted by Hadyatou Diallo, a Ph.D. candidate at the California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS). I am an Army veteran and current Army spouse, and my research focuses on improving military sexual health education to better support Soldier well-being and readiness.

  • Participation is open to current U.S. Army service members and DOD professionals. If you’re unsure whether you qualify, please complete the screener survey to determine eligibility.

  • Eligible participants are asked to complete surveys, participate in interviews, or share experiences related to sexual health education in the Army. Participation is voluntary.

  • Your responses will be used solely for research purposes. All data will be kept confidential and anonymized to protect your privacy. No personally identifiable information will be shared in any publications or reports.

  • Yes! Your identity will remain confidential, and your name will not be attached to any responses. Pseudonyms will be used, and no personally identifiable information will be included in reports or publications.

  • The time commitment varies. Surveys may take 10–15 minutes, while interviews could take 60 minutes.

  • While there is no direct payment for participation, you will have the opportunity to enter a random drawing for one of six (6) $30 Amazon e-gift cards as a token of appreciation for your time and insights. Participation in the study is voluntary, and entering the drawing does not guarantee selection for the incentive.

  • Absolutely! Participation is entirely voluntary, and you may stop at any time without penalty.

  • The findings will be compiled into my dissertation and may also be used in academic publications, policy recommendations, and presentations to help improve sexual health education in the Army.

  • If you're interested in participating, simply click on the circular buttons labeled "Take Screener Survey" or "Join the Study."

  • HDiallo@mymail.ciis.edu

    Email

  • 512-522-8207

    Call or Text

  • PhdingInSexEd

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Get in touch.

Do you have questions about the study or want to learn more? I’d love to hear from you! Whether you’re interested in participating, collaborating, or simply learning more about my research, feel free to contact me or fill out the contact form below. I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

Your input and engagement are invaluable in shaping the future of sexual health education in the U.S. Army.

Thank you for your interest and support!