Ensuring the Reproductive Rights of Women with Intellectual Disability

Area of Science:

• Medical ethics
• Public health
• Disability studies

Background:

• Women with intellectual disability face significant disparities in accessing sexual and reproductive healthcare.
• Existing healthcare systems often fail to meet the unique needs of this population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore physicians' perceptions and experiences regarding the provision of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) care for individuals with intellectual disability (ID).
• To identify challenges and barriers in delivering equitable SRH services to women with ID.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study employing open-ended individual interviews with 20 physicians and 3 video-based focus groups with 22 physicians.
• Conventional content analysis was used to analyze verbatim interview transcripts.

Main Results:

• Physicians identified communication, routine preventive care, contraception/sterilization, and conception/parenthood as key areas of challenge in providing SRH care to individuals with ID.
• Concerns were raised regarding equitable access to reproductive healthcare for women with intellectual disability.

Conclusions:

• Physician attitudes in the study sample may impede the delivery of comprehensive reproductive healthcare to women with intellectual disability.
• Gaps persist in upholding the reproductive rights of women with intellectual disability, necessitating targeted interventions.