Ensuring the reproductive rights of women with intellectual disability. Issue 4 (1st October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Agaronnik, Nicole; Pendo, Elizabeth; Lagu, Tara; DeJong, Christene; Perez-Caraballo, Aixa; Iezzoni, Lisa I.
• Is Part Of: Journal of intellectual & developmental disability. Volume 45:Issue 4(2020)
• Page Start: 365
• Page End: 376
• Publication Date: 2020-10-01
• Subjects: Intellectual disability -- reproductive health -- health disparities; Learning disabilities -- Periodicals; Developmental disabilities -- Periodicals; Mental retardation -- Periodicals; 362.1968
• DOI: 10.3109/13668250.2020.1762383
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1366-8250

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Background: Women with intellectual disability experience disparities in sexual and reproductive health care services. Methods: To explore perceptions of caring for persons with disability, including individuals with intellectual disability, we conducted open-ended individual interviews with 20 practising physicians and three video-based focus group interviews with an additional 22 practising physicians, which reached data saturation. Interviews were transcribed verbatim. We used conventional content analysis methods to analyse transcripts. Result: Physicians indicated that intellectual disability can pose challenges to providing sexual and reproductive health care. Observations coalesced around four themes: (1) communication; (2) routine preventive care; (3) contraception and sterilisation; and (4) conception and parenthood. Observations raised concerns about equity of access to reproductive care for women with intellectual disability. Conclusions: In our sample of physicians, we found attitudes that might compromise reproductive care for women with intellectual disability, suggesting that gaps remain in ensuring reproductive rights of women with intellectual disability.