Healthcare providers' perspectives with addressing sex-related issues and sexual identity within pediatric rehabilitation: A qualitative study.

BACKGROUND

Although having a sexual and reproductive life is a fundamental human right, people with disabilities, especially youth, often have many unaddressed needs. Healthcare providers commonly report lacking knowledge and training in how to address sexual-related topics with youth.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to explore the perspectives of pediatric rehabilitation care providers in addressing sex and sexuality among youth with disabilities.

METHOD

This qualitative study involved a secondary analysis of interviews with 21 participants (18 women, 2 men, 1 trans man) from a range of pediatric rehabilitation disciplines. An open-coding thematic analysis of the transcripts was performed.

FINDINGS

The results highlighted the following themes regarding healthcare providers' perspective of addressing sex-related issues within pediatric rehabilitation: (1) lack of attention to sex-related issues (i.e., taboo topic); (2) coping with clients disclosing sexual identity (i.e., unpreparedness, addressing discrimination and mental health issues, creating a safe space); and (3) navigating parental concerns (i.e., resistance to sex-related issues, privacy and confidentiality, youth's reliance on parents for managing menstruation).

CONCLUSIONS

Pediatric rehabilitation healthcare providers encounter challenges in providing health services and advice to youth with disabilities regarding sex-related issues and may need further training.