Sexual Risk Behaviors in Mexican Youth With Hearing Impairment

Abstract

The present study had two aims , firstly , to contribute with information to identify sexual risk behaviors in Mexican youth with hearing impairments, and secondly , to know to what extent the frequency with which young people communicate with their parents and mothers about the care of your sexual health is related to the sex of the young, the type of disability (deafness or hearing loss ), age of onset (congenital or acquired) and their pattern of sexual behavior. The study was conducted with a purposive sample of 300 young people (53.5 % male) with hearing impairment with a mean age of 19.4 years (SD = 2.59) , chosen from four institutions that serve people with this disability . Instrument adapted for hearing impaired people of Robles et al was used (2013 ) to assess history of disability , sexual risk behavior of participants, and sexual communication with parents . An instructor fluent in sign language for the deaf explained the content and how to respond to the assessment instruments . We found that 38.3 % (n = 115 ) have had sex, 49.1 % reported that their first sexual intercourse was forced , and 66.7 % did not use any contraceptive method. Differential effects by sex, type of disability and sexual behavior of participants on the frequency with which they communicate with their fathers and mothers on the care of their sexual health were found . We discuss the need for more research and education programs with young people with disabilities to assure a healthy sex life and respect for their sexual and reproductive rights.