Sexuality and Reproductive Health in Young People with Disability: A Systematic Review of Issues and Challenges

Manoj, Megha; Suja, M K

doi:10.1007/s11195-017-9505-9

Cited by 6 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…The extant literature recognises the misconceptions in many cultures, which tend to de-legitimise the sexuality of PWDs, especially in young people. They are sometimes not expected to express their sexuality, and therefore, those found to have negative SRH outcomes, such as STIs and unintended pregnancies, are stigmatised and censured (Manoj & Suja 2017 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sexual and reproductive health services utilisation amongst in-school young people with disabilities in Ghana

Kumi-Kyereme

2021

African Journal of Disability

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Background: Sexual and reproductive health (SRH) of young people including those with disabilities is a major public health concern globally. However, available evidence on their use of sexual and reproductive health services (SRHS) is inconsistent.Objective: This study investigated utilisation of SRHS amongst the in-school young people with disabilities (YPWDs) in Ghana using the healthcare utilisation model.Methods: Guided by the cross-sectional study design, a questionnaire was used to obtain data from 2114 blind and deaf pupils or students in the age group 10-24 years, sampled from 15 purposively selected special schools for the deaf and the blind in Ghana.Results: About seven out of every 10 respondents had ever utilised SRHS. The proportion was higher amongst the males (67.8%) compared with the females (62.8%). Young persons with disabilities in the coastal (OR = 0.03, 95% CI = 0.01–0.22) and middle (OR = 0.06, 95% CI = 0.01–0.44) zones were less likely to have ever utilised SRHS compared with those in the northern ecological zone. The blind pupils or students were more likely to have ever utilised SRHS than the deaf (OR = 1.45, 95% CI = 1.26–3.11).Conclusions: Generally, SRHS utilisation amongst the in-school YPWDs in Ghana is high but significantly associated with some predisposing, need and enabling or disabling factors. This underscores the need for policymakers to consider in-school YPWDs as a heterogeneous group in the design and implementation of SRHS programmes. The Ghana Education Service in collaboration with the Ghana Health Service should adopt appropriate pragmatic measures and targeted interventions in the special schools to address the SRH needs of the pupils or students.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sexual and reproductive health services utilisation amongst in-school young people with disabilities in Ghana

Kumi-Kyereme

2021

African Journal of Disability

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“…Intimate relationships are central to the lives of people across culture and age (Donaghue, 2009). Regardless, people with disabilities are often denied access to these relationships or are discouraged due to parental and teacher anxiety and lack of training (Treacy et al, 2018), even while they express a strong preference for developing them (Manoj & Suja, 2017). Rehabilitation counselors can encourage their clients to seek out and develop relationships with others, particularly those that might become intimate, thus developing a more positive sexual self-concept.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Regarding the prevalence of sexual health education offered to students with disabilities today, there is little research to be found; however, throughout the last century, students with disabilities have been uneducated or undereducated regarding sexuality. Overwhelmingly, they are left out of sexual health education in schools altogether (Lam et al, 2019; Manoj & Suja, 2017). The scant research on the topic of sex education and disability focuses on those with intellectual disability, taught largely about appropriate behavior, and decision-making slanted toward abstinence but not about sexual decision-making (Gonzalvez et al, 2018).…”

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confidence: 99%

“…Although vulnerability and concerns about the ability to handle sexual information have been cited as a reason for not providing sexual health education to individuals with disabilities in systematic reviews of the literature (Lam et al, 2019), people with disabilities express a desire to experience connection through romantic relationships, as well as interest in gaining knowledge of sexual health topics (Manoj & Suja, 2017), including navigating sexuality as impacted by their disability (Wienholz et al, 2016). Sexual health education has been found to improve the health and well-being of young people (Duberstein et al, 2016) and adults (McCarthy, 2014).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Sexual Health Education and Life Satisfaction for People With Congenital Neurological Disabilities

Mainella

Smedema

2021

Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin

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People with disabilities are sexual beings, yet there is little research on sexuality in this population. The present study explored the impact of sex education for people with congenital neurological disabilities, largely, spina bifida and cerebral palsy, on sexual self-concept and life satisfaction. This study included 104 adults with spina bifida, cerebral palsy, and other congenital neurological disabilities. Hierarchical regression analysis was used to examine the relationships between demographic variables, sexual health education variables, and outcome variables (sexual self-concept and life satisfaction). Serial mediation analysis was conducted to examine the mediating relationship of sexual self-concept variables (sexual anxiety and sexual self-esteem) between social support and life satisfaction. Results indicated that sexual self-concept was significantly predicted by relationship status, disability impact, and satisfaction with sex education. Life satisfaction was significantly predicted by relationship status, social support, disability impact, and sexual self-concept. Sexual anxiety and sexual self-esteem formed a partial serial mediating relationship between social support and life satisfaction. The findings expand upon existing literature on sex education for people with disabilities, reinforcing the notion that satisfactory sex education and strong social support positively impact the life satisfaction of individuals with spina bifida and cerebral palsy. Implications for rehabilitation research and practice are discussed.

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“…While our data do not reveal the reasons for the low utilization of this preventive service, we posit this may be due to factors such as an assumption of sexual inactivity, which would speak to the need to develop provider education opportunities to shift perceptions about sexual health for autistic adults, or behavioral difficulties that may complicate the procedure. Given that there is evidence to suggest that individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities may be at elevated risk of sexual abuse and sexually transmitted infections [ 27 ], the appropriateness of a Pap test may be an important area for healthcare providers to discuss with their patients and/or their patients’ caregivers. Further, this discussion may give providers an opportunity to discuss sexual health, a topic that is often unaddressed or under-addressed with women with intellectual and developmental disabilities [ 28 , 29 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Patient and caregiver experiences at a specialized primary care center for autistic adults

et al. 2020

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Background: Little is known about the extent to which patient-centered medical homes meet the needs of autistic adults. Materials & methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of autistic adult patients (n = 47) and caregivers of autistic adult patients (n = 66) receiving care through one patient-centered medical home specifically designed to meet the needs of this population. We performed post hoc comparisons of our results to previously published data from a national sample of autistic adults. Results: Participants reported high levels of satisfaction with care, frequent preventive healthcare use and few unmet healthcare needs. Autistic adults in our sample reported significantly higher satisfaction and fewer unmet healthcare needs. Conclusion: A patient-centered medical home tailored to the needs of autistic adults is a promising approach to healthcare delivery for meeting this population’s needs.

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Sexuality and Reproductive Health in Young People with Disability: A Systematic Review of Issues and Challenges

Cited by 6 publications

References 27 publications

Sexual and reproductive health services utilisation amongst in-school young people with disabilities in Ghana

Sexual and reproductive health services utilisation amongst in-school young people with disabilities in Ghana

Sexual Health Education and Life Satisfaction for People With Congenital Neurological Disabilities

Patient and caregiver experiences at a specialized primary care center for autistic adults

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