About this Research Topic

Background

More often, individuals with disabilities are believed not to be at high risk of HIV infection, they are incorrectly assumed to be sexually inactive, unlikely to use drugs or alcohol, and at less risk of violence or rape compared to their non-disabled peers. However, people with disability have been described as a group that is economically, educationally, and socially disadvantaged, thus making them vulnerable and a high-risk group for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Similarly, people aged 60 years and above, the elderly, are often excluded in sexual health interventions or programs as they are always erroneously believed to be sexually inactive and do not pose any threat to the transmission of STIs including HIV/AIDS. Even though studies have shown that men and women within this age group could remain sexually active, they are often left out of reproductive health campaigns, interventions and services, just as people with disabilities are.

A consequence of the exclusion of disabled people and the elderly is that they have less exposure to sex education, basic sexual health information, and reproductive health interventions.

Whereas sexual behaviors and sexual risk practices have been studied extensively in younger people with massive reproductive health campaigns and services around them, limited information exists about these among the older population and people with disabilities, especially in developing countries. This Research Topic will therefore assess sexual behavior and sexual risk practices, as well as identify the extent and suitability of reproductive health services and programs available to these underserved populations - the elderly, and people with disability.

Increased access to reproductive health services, and more inclusive sexual health interventions and programs which incorporate the sexual health needs of the underserved populations, could accelerate country-level progress on the attainment of the universal health coverage UHC and sustainable development goals across the world.

The primary focus of this Research Topic is; first, the determination of the sexual practices of the identified underserved populations and their awareness of sexual risk behaviors. This will include ascertaining their sexual capacity and behaviors, and identifying both levels and patterns of risky sexual behaviors among the groups.

The second primary outcome here is to identify the extent of targeted reproductive health services, programs, and interventions - preventive and curative, that are available to these groups. The theme will examine the suitability and adequacy of the existing reproductive and sexual health services in the context of the peculiarities of these population groups.

The topic will also determine excess reproductive health needs and challenges associated with being a disabled adolescent or mother.

The studies will adopt different approaches and methods; systematic reviews, quantitative, qualitative methods, mixed-method approaches, etc. to generate information on the subject. Both primary and secondary data will also be used. Studies that measure, test or compare the efficacy of interventions that ameliorate reproductive health problems at both individual and community levels within the identified underserved populations will also be accommodated.

Keywords: Sexual behavior, Health services, People with disability, Elderly, Sexually transmitted infections STI, Sexual risk practices, Universal Health Coverage

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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