Access to Sexual and Reproductive Health of People With Intellectual Disabilities in Nairobi City County

Abstract

Sexual and reproductive health (SRH) is a human rights issue. Accessing SRH information and services provides individuals with the capacity to make informed choices regarding their SRH thus avoiding sexually transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancies. While most research on the SRH of people with disabilities focuses on women, this research employed an all-inclusive approach targeting both men and women. The study focused on identifying the specific SRH needs of people with intellectual disability (ID), and the challenges they encounter while accessing SRH information and services. The study adopted an exploratory-descriptive study design and utilized the human rights framework of understanding disability. Data was collected qualitatively through in-depth and key informant interviews. Data coding and analysis was done through Nvivo which grouped information thematically along the lines of specific objectives. The findings indicate that people with ID are not asexual as popularly believed. It further revealed that people with ID too have SRH needs and rights as stipulated by the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Access to SRH information and services was the main challenge people with ID face since they lacked reliable sources of information, and such topics were rarely discussed around them as they were considered asexual. Creating awareness of sexual and gender-based violence among people with ID was considered vital to protect them against sexual exploitation due to their vulnerability. The study recommends for capacity building among the IDs themselves as well as among the health providers to end stigmatization which was the main barrier affecting people with ID as they sought SRH services. This will enable the health workers to provide inclusive SRH services and to sensitize communities against the discrimination of people with ID in their search for SRH services.