Literature Review on Provision of Appropriate and Accessible ...

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introduced students not only to the joys of parenthood, but also to the
difficulties.
4.4.2 Accessing sexual health services
It has been recognised that many women with intellectual disability do
not have access to the same opportunities for choice, continuity and
control, which form the basis of good practice, yet these factors are
crucially important for these women (Campion, 1996). In many societies,
general attitudes towards women with intellectual disability may result
in the denial or marginalising of sexual health concerns. Such attitudes
limit access to health services related to gynaecological care. According
to Sulpizi (1996) women with intellectual disability may be treated as
children, as it may be incorrectly assumed that they may not understand
what is being told to them. As a consequence, health professionals
may direct their questions and explanations to the non-disabled person
accompanying them. It has been suggested that there are few health
professionals who are willing and trained to address sexual health issues
for women with intellectual disability (Schrojenstein Lantman-de Valk,
Schupf and Patja, 2002).
Support to People with an Intellectual Disability who are
Accessible
and Appropriate of Provision on <strong>Review</strong> <strong>Literature</strong>
Experiencing Crisis Pregnancy
A study of gynaecological services for women with intellectual disability
in the US involving 127 women with developmental disabilities reported
that 40 per cent of the women surveyed had not received health
education regarding gynaecological care (Kopac, Fritz and Holt, 1998).
Barriers to accessing services in general included:
• Financial difficulties
• Fear of examinations
• Difficulties in accessing healthcare professionals to provide such
services.
4.4.3 Inadequate information
James (2004), writing from her experience as part of a Community
Learning Disabilities Team in England, contends that despite
considerable developments in education and health input for women
with learning disabilities in recent years, many women remain poorly
informed about contraception and the significance of changes in
their menstrual pattern. As a result, such women may find it hard to