A comprehensive sexual health care program for educable intellectually disabled adolescent girls: protocol for a mixed methods study

Abstract

BackgroundProtection and promotion of sexual health is of great importance for educable intellectually disabled adolescent girls; since they are prone to high risk sexual vulnerabilities and consequences, such as unwanted pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, and acquired immune deficiency syndrome. Although the rights of intellectually disabled adolescents have been emphasized through the recent years, their sexual health care is still a challenge for parents, teachers, caregivers, and service providers. This study aims to present a comprehensive sexual health care program for educable intellectually disabled adolescent girls.MethodsThis study is carried out by an exploratory sequential mixed qualitative-quantitative methods approach including three sequential phases. The researcher represents sexual health state of educable intellectually disabled adolescent girls using a qualitative approach. In the onset of the second phase, a comprehensive sexual health care program is designed for educable intellectually disabled adolescent girls. In this regard, in addition to qualitative studies, some related papers and texts are used. The suggested program of expert panel is approved based on prioritization guidelines. Then, in the third phase and after different stages of finalization of the program, its affectability is evaluated regarding improvement of sexual health state of educable intellectually disabled adolescent girls.DiscussionIt is expected that from the results of the present mixed methods study, by presenting a comprehensive sexual health program for educable intellectually disabled adolescent girls, lead to improvements in the sexual health of these girls. Moreover, it wants to reduce risky sexual behaviors, sexual abuse and harassment, and their consequences in adolescent girls in order to improve sexual health state of the society. If this program works, it can become one of the leading education and care guidelines for sexual health care of intellectually disabled adolescent girls.Trial registrationIRCT20160224026756N5. Registered 22 June 2018.

People with intellectual disabilities, relationship and sex education programmes: A systematic review

“…The concerns, however, can lead to over-protection and sometimes excessive control that may inadvertently further limit life opportunities for the person with ID. An essential element of professional practice therefore needs to address concerns regarding protection, safeguarding and capacity to consent to sexual relationships and the positive benefits of participating in RSE programmes (Goli et al, 2018). This is necessary as practitioners delivering RSE programmes need to respond to the potentially conflicting tensions between the need to protect versus freedom of choice and the right to self-determination (Fisher et al, 2016).…”

Comparing the effect of two educational interventions on mothers’ awareness, attitude, and self-efficacy regarding sexual health care of educable intellectually disabled adolescent girls: a cluster randomized control trial

“…This study (as a part of expanded mixed methods study [ 25 ]) was a cluster randomized control trial with three groups (intervention 1, intervention 2 and control). The population of this study includes mothers of id adolescent girls who referred to six id adolescents’ training centers covered by Welfare Organization and Special Education Organization of Isfahan city, Isfahan province, Iran from June to August 2018.…”

Zihinsel engelli ergenlerin cinsel gelişim özellikleri ve ailelerin yaşadığı güçlükler: Tanımlayıcı çalışma

“…8,19,20 Oysa zihinsel engelli ergenler cinsel yönden daha kırılgan olup, istenmeyen gebelikler, cinsel yolla bulaşan hastalıklar, istismar yönünden daha fazla risk altında olduğundan cinsel sağlığın korunması ve sürdürülmesi için eğitimleri önem arzetmektedir. 21,22 Zihinsel engellilerde üreme sağlığına ilişkin verilerin oldukça sınırlı olması, ailelerin ihtiyaçlarını ortaya koymaya dönük çalışmaların az sayıda olması, bu grupta ergenlik döneminde yaşanabilen sorunların çözüme ulaşmasına engel bir durumdur.…”

“…8,19,20 Oysa zihinsel engelli ergenler cinsel yönden daha kırılgan olup, istenmeyen gebelikler, cinsel yolla bulaşan hastalıklar, istismar yönünden daha fazla risk altında olduğundan cinsel sağlığın korunması ve sürdürülmesi için eğitimleri önem arzetmektedir. 21,22…”