Knowledge level and access barriers related to sexual and reproductive health information among youth with disabilities in China: a cross-sectional study
Abstract Background Youth with disabilities have the same right to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) as their peers without disabilities. However, their needs and rights are often ignored. Little is known about the knowledge, needs and access barriers related to SRH information among youth with d...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2023-06-01
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| Series: | Reproductive Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-023-01625-9 |
| _version_ | 1797806746253656064 |
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| author | Wenjuan Qi Hongyan Li Qiguo Lian Xiayun Zuo Chunyan Yu Chaohua Lou Xiaowen Tu |
| author_facet | Wenjuan Qi Hongyan Li Qiguo Lian Xiayun Zuo Chunyan Yu Chaohua Lou Xiaowen Tu |
| author_sort | Wenjuan Qi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Youth with disabilities have the same right to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) as their peers without disabilities. However, their needs and rights are often ignored. Little is known about the knowledge, needs and access barriers related to SRH information among youth with different types of disabilities in China. Methods A cross-sectional survey was carried out among 473 unmarried youth aged 15–24 with visual, hearing, physical disabilities in both urban and rural areas in China. Results Out of a maximum possible score of 100, respondent’s median score ranged from 30 to 50 for knowledge related to sexual physiology, STIs/HIV/AIDS and contraception. For these three categories of knowledge, respondents with hearing and physical disabilities or from rural areas scored lower than their counterparts with visual disabilities or from urban areas. The multivariate analyses showed that the residential area and education level were strong correlates of knowledge among respondents with visual and hearing disabilities. Other significant correlates were age for respondents with visual impairment and physical impairment, and single child status in the family and father’s education level for respondents with hearing impairment. Sources of and barriers and preferences in accessing SRH information differed by type of disabilities, residential areas and gender. In general, school teachers were the primary and most preferred sources of SRH knowledge, followed by the Internet, peers/friends and parents. Unaware of where to get accurate information and feeling embarrassed to seek information were the two most frequently mentioned barriers in accessing SRH information. Conclusion Respondents had poor knowledge of SRH and limited access to SRH information, especially those from rural areas. Efforts should be made to promote school and family-based sexuality education tailored for youth with different types of disabilities. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-13T06:11:58Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-f0e430d223d34002b32f92a699d06789 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1742-4755 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-13T06:11:58Z |
| publishDate | 2023-06-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Reproductive Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-f0e430d223d34002b32f92a699d067892023-06-11T11:15:52ZengBMCReproductive Health1742-47552023-06-0120111110.1186/s12978-023-01625-9Knowledge level and access barriers related to sexual and reproductive health information among youth with disabilities in China: a cross-sectional studyWenjuan Qi0Hongyan Li1Qiguo Lian2Xiayun Zuo3Chunyan Yu4Chaohua Lou5Xiaowen Tu6NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies), Fudan UniversityUNESCO Beijing OfficeNHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies), Fudan UniversityNHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies), Fudan UniversityNHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies), Fudan UniversityNHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies), Fudan UniversityNHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies), Fudan UniversityAbstract Background Youth with disabilities have the same right to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) as their peers without disabilities. However, their needs and rights are often ignored. Little is known about the knowledge, needs and access barriers related to SRH information among youth with different types of disabilities in China. Methods A cross-sectional survey was carried out among 473 unmarried youth aged 15–24 with visual, hearing, physical disabilities in both urban and rural areas in China. Results Out of a maximum possible score of 100, respondent’s median score ranged from 30 to 50 for knowledge related to sexual physiology, STIs/HIV/AIDS and contraception. For these three categories of knowledge, respondents with hearing and physical disabilities or from rural areas scored lower than their counterparts with visual disabilities or from urban areas. The multivariate analyses showed that the residential area and education level were strong correlates of knowledge among respondents with visual and hearing disabilities. Other significant correlates were age for respondents with visual impairment and physical impairment, and single child status in the family and father’s education level for respondents with hearing impairment. Sources of and barriers and preferences in accessing SRH information differed by type of disabilities, residential areas and gender. In general, school teachers were the primary and most preferred sources of SRH knowledge, followed by the Internet, peers/friends and parents. Unaware of where to get accurate information and feeling embarrassed to seek information were the two most frequently mentioned barriers in accessing SRH information. Conclusion Respondents had poor knowledge of SRH and limited access to SRH information, especially those from rural areas. Efforts should be made to promote school and family-based sexuality education tailored for youth with different types of disabilities.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-023-01625-9DisabilitySexual and reproductive healthKnowledgeSexuality educationBarriersYouth |
| spellingShingle | Wenjuan Qi Hongyan Li Qiguo Lian Xiayun Zuo Chunyan Yu Chaohua Lou Xiaowen Tu Knowledge level and access barriers related to sexual and reproductive health information among youth with disabilities in China: a cross-sectional study Reproductive Health Disability Sexual and reproductive health Knowledge Sexuality education Barriers Youth |
| title | Knowledge level and access barriers related to sexual and reproductive health information among youth with disabilities in China: a cross-sectional study |
| title_full | Knowledge level and access barriers related to sexual and reproductive health information among youth with disabilities in China: a cross-sectional study |
| title_fullStr | Knowledge level and access barriers related to sexual and reproductive health information among youth with disabilities in China: a cross-sectional study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Knowledge level and access barriers related to sexual and reproductive health information among youth with disabilities in China: a cross-sectional study |
| title_short | Knowledge level and access barriers related to sexual and reproductive health information among youth with disabilities in China: a cross-sectional study |
| title_sort | knowledge level and access barriers related to sexual and reproductive health information among youth with disabilities in china a cross sectional study |
| topic | Disability Sexual and reproductive health Knowledge Sexuality education Barriers Youth |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-023-01625-9 |
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