The sexual behaviour of physically disabled adolescents.

INTRODUCTION: Risky sexual behaviour is a major factor contributing to the increasing prevalence of HIV/AIDS in South Africa. A large national survey of adolescent's sexual behaviour was undertaken in 2002, however adolescents with disabilities were excluded from this study. The aim of this study is to compare the sexual behaviours of adolescents with physical disabilities to those of their non-disabled peers.
METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional sample was drawn from learners with physical disabilities between grades 8 and 9 in Cape Town. Data were collected using the South African youth risk behaviour survey adapted by the medical research council of South Africa.
RESULTS: There were responses from 91 participants, of which 56% were males. Approximately, one quarter of the special school sample reported sexual activity compared with one third of the national sample; the difference approached significance. As with the national sample, relatively few adolescents thought they were likely to contract HIV in their lifetime (12%). Fifty percent of the sample claimed that they were able to protect themselves against contracting HIV compared with 66% of the adolescents without disability. The percentage reporting two or more sexual partners in the special schools (27%) was about half that of the national sample (53%). There was little difference in the percentages reporting substance abuse related to sexual activity (14% compared with 15%) and the national sample reported more regularly use of condoms (Special school 18% compared with 25%). DISCUSSION: Disabled adolescents are indulging in risky sexual behaviours, and are at equal risk as their non-disabled peers of developing HIV.
CONCLUSION: Adolescents with disability must not be excluded from main stream research and health promotion activities specifically related to sex education.