How primary care staff prescribe contraception to people with disabilities

Marielle Coutrix, a graduate student at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, is completing a masters in sexual and reproductive health research. She is currently conducting research on the attitudes, beliefs and practices of primary care health professionals in prescribing contraception to individuals with disabilities. Her research is primarily educational in purpose, and as the lead researcher, she will be conducting one-on-one interviews with primary care health professionals and representatives of organizations that promote the health and rights of individuals with disabilities to better understand the conceptualization of consent and confidentiality in medical practice, the role of medical professionals in promoting the sexual health and autonomy of vulnerable populations and the reproductive and sexual identities of individuals with disabilities.

Over the last twenty years, the United Kingdom has made strides in recognizing the discrimination that individuals with disabilities face in many areas of their life, and adopting a more inclusive and rights-based approach to health provision and promotion. This study will explore how these high-level political and ideological shifts have impacted disabled individuals’ access to contraception and more broadly, how these norms have influenced the current landscape of sexual and reproductive health care provision and information. The objective of the study is to suggest ways to improve the quality of family planning care for women and men with disabilities. Please find more information about the conduct and objectives of the study in the attachment which can be found here.