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A decade on: what have we learnt about supporting women with intellectual disabilities through the menopause?
- Author:
- WILLIS Diane S.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disabilities, 12(1), March 2008, pp.9-23.
- Publisher:
- Sage
- Place of publication:
- London
Carr and Hollins highlighted the paucity of research on the menopause in women with intellectual disabilities and, 10 years on, this area still remains poorly researched. Work exploring the age of onset of the menopause has suggested that the menopause is earlier in this group of women, but studies exploring what women with intellectual disabilities understand and experience during the menopause are limited. In this Scottish study 15 women with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities were interviewed using a semi-structured interview on a one-to-one basis about their knowledge and understanding of the menopause. Findings revealed limited accessible information about the menopause and a paucity in the women's knowledge and understanding about the menopause. This suggests a need for more accessible information, in order to increase understanding and awareness of the menopause in these women.
What helps women who have learning disabilities get checked for cervical cancer?
- Author:
- MONTEITH Elaine
- Publisher:
- Institute for Research and Innovation in Social Services
- Publication year:
- 2015
- Pagination:
- 16
- Place of publication:
- Glasgow
Reports the findings of practitioner research to identify what prevents women with learning disabilities accessing cervical screening in Scotland, and what could assist them in accessing this service. The research methodology was largely qualitative. It involved a literature review and interviews with women with learning disabilities and personal assistants who had supported woman with learning disabilities during their career to gather their views, feelings and attitudes. In total six people were interviewed; three were women randomly selected and all were over the age of twenty-five (the age where women should have been invited to attend at least one cervical screening appointment) with learning disabilities; one of whom had accessed cervical screening services and three personal assistants. Analysis of the data gathered from one-to-one interviews was compared to findings of the studies identified through a literature review. Analysis of the findings from the literature review and the interview process suggest that cervical screening for women with learning disabilities is not routinely accessed. From the data collated and analysed, possible barriers are pain, perceived pain, embarrassment and lack of information that can be easily understood. It is concluded that to best enable women to attend for screening an awareness and education of the importance of attending the appointment for both PAs and people supported should be raised. The paper was produced as part of the PROP2 (Practitioner Research: Outcomes and Partnership) programme, a partnership between the Centre for Research on Families and Relationships (CRFR) at the University of Edinburgh and IRISS covering health and social care in Scotland. (Edited publisher abstract)
Carer knowledge and experiences with menopause in women with intellectual disabilities
- Authors:
- WILLIS Diane S., WISHART Jennifer G., MUIR Walter J.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 7(1), March 2010, pp.42-48.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Life expectancy for women with intellectual disabilities (ID) now significantly extended, but little is known about how carers support women with ID through menopause. This study examined carer knowledge of how menopause affects women with ID under their care and how they may help them to cope with it. Interviews were conducted with 69 carers (7 male, 62 female) from a range of backgrounds, all responsible for the care of one or more pre-, peri-, or post-menopausal women with ID. Findings showed that carers found difficulty in disentangling the psychological and physical consequences of the menopause from behaviours and symptoms arising from other causes. However, there was general recognition of the transitional importance of menopause and a widespread acknowledgment of the resilience that many women with ID show in coping with it. Carers emphasized the need for health resources to be better customized to the women's needs and for more relevant health education training for staff. The authors conclude that additional and new demands are placed on service provision as women with ID live longer, and that an increased awareness of health issues relating to menopause is needed.