Center for Global Health Faculty

Academic Degrees

Contact Information

Email:

Psharps+son.jhmi.edu

Phone:

410-614-5312

Link:

SciVal Experts Research Profile

Research and Professional Experience

Dr. Sharps' research has focused on a variety of factors that impact the health of women, specifically reproductive and mental health. Research activities have included examining factors related to high-risk pregnancies and infant mortality. Factors investigated are utilization of prenatal care, low birth weight infants, intimate partner abuse, depression, self-esteem and parenting practices. Other investigations have been examining women’s health, lifestyle, and health behaviors related to menopausal health. Dr. Sharps’ research related to intimate partner abuse has focused on risk factors for intimate partner femicide. She has participated in a multi-city study lead by Dr. Jacquelyn Campbell and other nationally known domestic violence nurse researchers. Dr. Sharps examined the utilization of health care by victims of intimate partner femicide, alcohol and substance use, pregnancy and paternity of children in intimate partner femicide. Other investigations have included domestic abuse, mental health, and perinatal outcomes in military pregnant women. Dr. Sharps applies her clinical research findings to improving women’s health through her activities as a member of the Advisory Board for the International Association of Chiefs of Police, and as a trainer and consultant for the Family Violence Prevention Fund and National Institutes of Justice. Dr. Sharps is also consulted frequently about cultural competency in research with African American women and communities. Additionally, she has conducted workshops with nursing faculty related to recruiting, retaining, and fostering the achievements of African American students in nursing programs. Dr. Sharps' recent funded research studies have included: 9/00-8/05 Co- Investigator, Arts Based Initiative to Reduce Violence Against Women and Girls, funded by CDC. 5/98 - 5/03 Co- Investigator, Cooperative Perinatal Studies and Interventions, funded by NICHD 7/98- 6/99 Principal Investigator, African American Women and Menopausal Health: Knowledge, Attitudes and Practice, funded by National Black Nurses Association 9/96 - 12/00 Principal Investigator, Abuse and Perinatal Outcomes in Military Pregnant Women, funded by Tri Service Nursing Research Program, Department of Defense 9/96 - 8/00 Principal Investigator (Minority Research Supplement Award), Risk Factors for Homicide in Violent Intimate Relationships, funded by NIAAA, NIDA, Jacquelyn Campbell, PhD, RN, FANN, Principal Investigator.

Keywords

Perinatal health, domestic violence, infant mortality, parenting, and women’s health in community settings. Domestic violence and physical and mental health consequences for women, infant mortality, and women’s health.

Selected Publications

Nicolaidis, C., Curry, M.A., Ulrich, Y., Sharps, P., McFarlane, J., Campbell, D., Gary, F., Laughon, K., Glass, N., Campbell, J. (in press) Could we have known? A qualitative analysis of data from women who survived an attempted homicide by an intimate partner.

Sharps, P.W. (in press). Health beliefs and parenting attitudes influence breastfeeding patters among low-income African American women. Journal of Perinatology,

Campbell, J; Sharps, P W; Sachs, C & Yam, ML (2003). Medical lethality assessment and safety planning in domestic violence cases. Clinics in Family Practice, 5(1), 101-112.

Glass, N., Fredland, N., Campbell, J., Yonas, M., Sharps, P. Kub, J. (2003). Adolescent dating violence: Prevalence, risk factors, health outcomes and implications for clinical practice. JOGNN, 32(2), 227-238.

Harris, R., Soeken, K., Rohatas, A., Sharps, P.W., Allen K., Anderson, E. (2003). The inter-relationship between violence, HIV/AIDS, and Drug Use in incarcerated women. Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care. 14(1), 27-40.

Schollenberger, J., Campbell, J.C., Sharps, P.W., O’Campo, P., Dienemann, J., Kub, J. (2003). African American HMO enrollees: Their experiences with partner abuse and its effect in their health and utilization of medical services. Violence Against Women. 9 (5), 599-618.

McFarlane, J., Campbell, J.C., Sharps, P.W., & Watson, MS (2002) Abuse during pregnancy and femicide: urgent implications for women’s health. Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, 100(1), 27-37.

Sharps, P.W., Campbell, J., McFarlane, J., Sachs, C., Xu, X. (2001). Missed Opportunities for Prevention of Femicide by Health Care Providers. Preventive Medicine, 13(5), 1-8.

Sharps, P.W., Campbell, J.C., Campbell, D., Gary, F., Webster, D. (2001). The role of alcohol use in intimate partner femicide. American Journal of Addictions, 10(2), 1-14.

Sharps, P, Campbell, J., Gielen, A., Jones, A.S., O’Campo, P., Dinemann, J., Kub, J., Schollenberger, J., & Wayne, E.C., (2001). The risk of partner abuse and its relationship to health and use of health care services among African American women enrolled in an HMO: A case-control analysis. Conference Proceedings for the Institute for Domestic Violence o the African American Community December 2000 Forum.

Campbell, J.C., Sharps, P.W., Glass, N. (2000) Risk assessment for intimate partner violence. In G.F. Pinard & L. Pagani (eds). Clinical Assessment of Dangerousness: Empirical Contributions, Cambridge University Press, New York.

Sharps, P.W. & Campbell, J.C. (2000) Health consequences for women in violent intimate relationships. In X.B. Arriaga & S. Oskamp (eds.), Violence in intimate relationships, Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage

Sharps, P.W., Cepis, L. & Gerring, B. (2000) Abuse and mental health outcomes in military pregnant women. In P. Mercier & J. Mercier (eds.) Battle Cries on the Home Front: Violence in the Military Family. Charles C. Thomas Publishing Co.

Jarrett, M.H., Katz, K., Sharps, P.W., Schneider, S., and Diamond, L. (1998) Pride in Parenting: A Curriculum for Training Lay Home Visitors. Infants and Young Children, 11(1), 61-72.

Guyer, B., Gazaway, P., Mighty, H., Morhaim, D., O’Campo, P., Orr, S., Sharps, P., Squires, B., and Strobino, D. (1998). “Closing the Gap:” Addressing the Disparity of Infant Mortality Among African-American and White Infants: Recommendations for Clinicians and Policymakers. Final Reports of the Expert Panel on African-American/White Infant Mortality: State of Maryland.

Sharps, P.W., & Benjamin, F. (1997). Mentoring for Publication. The Association for Black Nursing Faculty Journal.

Sharps, P.W. (1997). Abuse and Pregnancy: A Black Nursing Response. National Black Nurses Association Newsletter