Sexual health challenges in Iranian intellectually disabled adolescent girls: a qualitative study

Background: Sexual health is individuals’ ability to express their sexual needs within framework of society’s values without being afraid of sexually transmitted infections, unwanted pregnancies, violence and discrimination. Given the importance of sexual health in intellectually disabled adolescents, the present study was conducted to explore the sexual health challenges in intellectually disabled adolescent girls. Materials and Methods: The present qualitative study with content analysis approach was conducted on 48 participants including parents, teachers, healthcare providers and managers who were selected through purposeful sampling method in Isfahan, Iran. Data were gathered using semi-structured in-depth interviews, focus group discussions and field notes. Data were analyzed using conventional content analysis. Results: After data analysis, four sub-categories of “adolescent’s disability in understanding sexual matters and respecting social rules”, “the coexistence of psychiatric disorders and intellectual disability”, cultural taboos on sexual issues” and “teachers’ inability to deal with issues related to adolescent’s sexual health” were extracted. These sub-categories together formed the main category of “sexual health challenges”. Conclusion: Based on the results, designing comprehensive programs of sex education for intellectually disabled adolescent girls seems necessary. Also, empowering teachers to teach sexual health to these girls and their parents is of particular importance. Furthermore, the interaction between parents and school to maintain the sexual health of intellectually disabled adolescent girls could have an effective role in decreasing the rate of sexual abuse/harassment and their involvement in sexual relationships.