Reproductive and sexual health needs among differently abled individuals in the rural field practice area of a medical college in Karnataka, India

Abstract

In India, the prevalence of disability is estimated to range from 2.1% to 2.21%. [4-6] It is estimated that the prevalence of disability in Karnataka is about 2.02%. [7] Adolescents and adults with disabilities are as likely as persons without disabilities to be sexually active. [8] Women with paralysis, impaired motor function or obvious physical disability were rarely offered contraceptive methods or information. [9] Of equal concern is the fact that in many places, women with disabilities are routinely turned away from such services should they seek help, often also being told that they should not be pregnant, or are scolded because they have decided to have a child. [10] In India, women with very minor physical disabilities do not receive reproductive health services because they are considered to have no marriage prospects. [11] Many have been subjected to forced sterilizations, forced abortions, or forced Background: Individuals with disability have to face multiple physical and attitudinal barriers to seek reproductive health services. Hence this study intends to bring out reproductive health needs of individuals with disability, which will help future policy or program formulation. Objective: To know the reproductive and sexual health needs among differently abled individuals in the field practice area of a medical college in Karnataka, India. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in rural field practice area of a medical college in Karnataka, India. By conducting house-to-house visit, all the selected differently abled individuals were interviewed after obtaining written and informed consent from the individuals, parents and/or guardians, using a predesigned questionnaire. Data were entered and analyzed using Epi Info, version 4.0. Results: Only 19.2% of the study population were married. More than 67.17% were not sexually active. Only 4.0% reported STI/RTI. About 38.67% were still using cloth during menstruation. Only 7.9% used contraceptives. Conclusion: Differently abled individuals have the same reproductive and sexual health needs as their normal counterparts. They must have the same access as everyone else to the health services, and resources that support them in their decisions.

Systematic review of menstrual hygiene management requirements, its barriers and strategies for disabled people

“…Four studies (18%) investigated the menstrual product used and preference [34, 35, 44, 45]. Two of these studies considered the product used [44, 45].…”

“…Four studies (18%) investigated the menstrual product used and preference [34, 35, 44, 45]. Two of these studies considered the product used [44, 45]. One [44] explored the product acceptability from the perspective of people with spinal cord injuries, and the remaining two [34, 35] investigated the carers’ product preference.…”

Experiences of midwifery students, about to give care for women with disability<p>Ebelik öğrencilerinin engelli kadınlara bakım verme deneyimleri

“…Bu sorunlar, Patage ve arkadaşlarının 2015'de yaptığı çalışmaya göre engelli bireylerin %67.17'sinin cinsel ilişki yaşamadığı, cinsel olarak aktif sadece %7.9'unun kontraseptif kullandığı, %60.53'ünün hiçbir yöntem kullanmadığı saptanmıştır. Çalışmadaki engelli kadınların üreme sağlığına yönelik hijyen davranışlarının yetersiz olduğu saptanmıştır (Patage et al, 2015).…”

“…Engelli kadınlar çoğu zaman gereksinim duydukları sağlık bakım hizmetlerine ulaşamamaktadır. Engelli kadınların üreme sağlığı sorunları olarak cinsellikte, aile planlaması yöntem kullanımında, üreme siklusunda, menstrual hijyen davranışında, cinsel yolla bulaşan hastalıklardan korunmada ve ebeveynliğe uyumda sorun yaşamaktadır (Patage et al, 2015;Aydın, 2013;Redshaw et al, 2013;Başgöl ve Oskay, 2015).…”

“…Ayrıca tüm bu sorunların yanında, engelli kadınların cinsel sağlık ve üreme sağlığı alanında yetersiz hizmetlerden dolayı sağlık hizmetlerine erişimde zorlandıkları belirtilmektedir (Patage et al, 2015;Gibson & Mykitiuk, 2012;Thomas & Curtis, 1997;Morrison et al, 2015).…”