The role of health care workers in supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Sexuality education forms part of the life skills learning area. Sexuality education hasbecome a means of providing the information learners need so they can prevent orprotect themselves against abuse and violence including rape. It also helps youngpeople to develop coping strategies in their social lives.However, the approach in schools to sexuality education does not cater for the needsof individuals with an intellectual disability. This study aims, therefore to explorewhether these individuals (those with intellectual disability) are provided in otherways with information relating to sexuality education. The reason for selecting thisgroup is that research has found that individuals with intellectual disability are morevulnerable to abuse, rape and violence. Hence, equipping them with skills on how todeal and cope with those societal dangers is essential.This study does not focus on those individuals with intellectual disability who are atschool but focuses on those that are out of school in the community. A questionnaireis used to determine whether these individuals are adequately provided with sexualityeducation. The participants of this study are the health care workers chosen becausethey are the people who are supposed to be interacting on a regular basis with theseindividuals. They are the people who provide individuals with an intellectualdisability with medication and treatment.The findings of the study are that individuals with intellectual disability are notprovided with information on sexuality education. It is a challenge, therefore, to allthe service providers to equip and empower these individuals with information onsexuality issues so they can cope with the societal pressures. The study also exploresthe health workers' perceptions of and experiences with individuals with anintellectual disability. The findings of the study are that the health care workers havedifferent perceptions of individuals with intellectual disability on issues of sexuality.Most of their decisions are based on the individual's level of intellectual disability,especially with regard to issues such as the right to have children and the desirabilityof sterilisation.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University