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Contraception and women with intellectual disabilities

McCarthy, Michelle (2009) Contraception and women with intellectual disabilities. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 22 (4). pp. 363-369. ISSN 1360-2322. (doi:10.1111/j.1468-3148.2008.00464.x) (Access to this publication is currently restricted. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:20129)

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http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-3148.2008.00464.x

Abstract

Background: Contraception is widely prescribed to women with intellectual disabilities, yet little is known about what the women think and feel about this. Oneof the aims of the study was to explore what women understood and to what extent they were able to exercise choice and control.Method: Twenty-three women with mild and moderate intellectual disabilities in South East England were interviewed about their current and past use of contraception, their knowledge of contraception more broadly, the process of being prescribed contraception and sources of information and support.Results: Knowledge of how contraception works was very limited and approximately half the women also lacked basic knowledge about reproduction. Few women attended medical appointments alone and none had been given any accessible information about contraception.Conclusions: There is a role for increased education, support and advocacy for women with intellectual disabilities when they are prescribed contraception. This would help to ensure women are prescribed methods which are best for them as individuals and to help maximize their participation in the process.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1111/j.1468-3148.2008.00464.x
Projects: Exercising choice and control: women with learning disabilities and their reproductive health care needs
Uncontrolled keywords: contraception; intellectual disabilities; women
Subjects: H Social Sciences
R Medicine
Divisions: Divisions > Division for the Study of Law, Society and Social Justice > School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research > Tizard
Funders: Department of Health and Social Care (https://ror.org/03sbpja79)
Depositing User: Michelle McCarthy
Date Deposited: 23 Nov 2009 11:50 UTC
Last Modified: 12 Jul 2022 10:39 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/20129 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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