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Indiana Institute on Disability and Community

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  • Issue Briefs on Sexual Health Issues and Women with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD)

Issue Briefs on Sexual Health Issues and Women with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD)

By: Joel F. Fosha

Monday, October 26, 2020

CHE Vision

“Individuals of all ages and abilities will have a fair and just opportunity to live a healthy and meaningful life in the community.”

Issue Brief 1 - Hoosier Women with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Lack Access to Sexual Health Education

The Center for Health Equity (CHE), part of the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community at Indiana University – Bloomington, started a two-year research project about sexual health education for Hoosier women with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in October 2018. This project was supported by the Indiana Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities. This project aims to improve the health and well-being of Hoosiers with disabilities by enhancing sexual health literacy and advocacy skills for adult women with IDD through the creation of evidence-based sexual health education in an accessible format. To achieve this goal, the project team conducted the following research activities: comprehensive literature reviews of sexual health needs of and sexual health education for individuals with IDD; key informant interviews, and focus groups. We conducted 14 key informant interviews with women with IDD, professionals serving this population, and parents of adult daughters with IDD, from a variety of Indiana locations, to increase our understanding of the sexual health needs of Hoosier women with IDD and related barriers and resources. We then conducted three focus groups – two with adult women with IDD and one with parents of adult daughters with IDD.

Access Brief 1 Here

Related Fact Sheet: Lack of Access to Sexual Health Education for Hoosier Women with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities 

Access Fact Sheet Here

Issue Brief 2 - Hoosier Women with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Need Opportunities for Healthy Intimate Relationships and Sexual Self-Advocacy

Lack of formal and accessible sexual health education, coupled with myths about their sexuality, can make individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) vulnerable to inaccurate sexual health information, unsafe sexual practices, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and sexual abuse. To address these issues, the Center for Health Equity at the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community at Indiana University Bloomington embarked on a research project about sexual health education for Hoosier women with IDD in October 2018, with funding from the Indiana Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities. The goal of this project is to improve the health and well-being of Hoosiers with disabilities by enhancing sexual health literacy and advocacy skills for adult women with IDD through the creation of evidence-based sexual health education in an accessible format. To this end, the project team has identified the current landscape of sexual health needs of women with IDD in Indiana and sexual health education curricula for individuals with IDD through the following research activities: comprehensive literature reviews; 14 key informant interviews with women with IDD, parents, 2 and professionals serving people with IDD; and three focus groups (two with adult women with IDD and one with parents of adult daughters with IDD).

Access Brief 2 Here

Related Fact Sheet: The Need for Healthy Intimate Relationships and Sexual Self-Advocacy for Hoosier Women with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Access Fact Sheet Here

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The work of the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community crosses the lifespan and is conducted through seven research centers and an Indiana University disability-focused library.

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