Ensuring the reproductive rights of women with intellectual disability

Nicole Agaronnik, Elizabeth Pendo, Tara Lagu, Christene DeJong, Aixa Perez-Caraballo, Lisa I. Iezzoni*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

27 Scopus citations

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.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)365-376
Number of pages12
JournalJournal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability
Volume45
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 2020

Keywords

  • Intellectual disability
  • health disparities
  • reproductive health

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Education
  • Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous)
  • General Psychology

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