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Sexual Education for Adolescents and Adults with Intellectual Disabilities: Systematic Review

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Abstract

Sexual education is crucial for individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID), but there are limited studies which show the effectiveness of sex education to this population. We conducted a systematic review to synthesize, analyze and identify sex education intervention for people with ID. We used quality indicators to identify and evaluate eight studies which employed single-subject research methodology (Horner in Except. Child. 71:165–179, 2005). Ways for improving skills and enhancing knowledge were reported. Results of our analysis suggest three moderate and five low quality studies exist in sex education to ID people. Nevertheless, professionals can consider the interventions with moderate effect in the future. Future studies should undergo more Randomized controlled trials (RCT) studies to evaluate the effectiveness of a new intervention (Hariton & Locascio in Int. J. Obstetr. Gynaecol. 125:13–1716, 2018) and meet high-quality standards to improve evidence-based practice.

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  1. Department of Psychiatry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong

    Sha Foon Eliza Irene Hui

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Hui, S.F.E.I. Sexual Education for Adolescents and Adults with Intellectual Disabilities: Systematic Review. Sex Disabil 42, 119–147 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11195-023-09813-y

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