Abstract
It was aimed to describe the experiences at the practice of sexuality of women with physical disabilities. This study is part of a doctoral thesis entitled sexuality in women with acquired deficiency: nursing in health promotion and empowerment. It was conducted an exploratory descriptive study with qualitative approach, which was carried out from June to October, in the year of 2010. The survey participants were six women members of an association of people with physical disabilities. Data collection was based on focal group. Analysis and discussion by means of the classification of the speeches were performed according to the analysis of content and pertinent literature. In the results, the following categories and sub-categories were identified: concepts, covering self-image and sexuality; social actors, responsible for the promotion of sexuality, with highlight for men, family and health professionals; challenges experienced in the practice of sexuality, with highlight on prejudice and fear of sexual abuse due to the disability. We could state that the focus groups favored the discussion and the self-knowledge of the women with respect to sexuality.
Highlights
The human sexuality is a multidisciplinary and holistic phenomenon
The themes used during the focus group meetings have emerged from the initial inquiries in the introduction, with the primary research question: How do women with disabilities acquired considered themselves and experience their sexuality in contemporary times? The material collected was treated through the analysis of contents [7]
The women who participated in the research were between 32 and 45 years old, and had physical disabilities resulting from sequels of infectious diseases, such as meningitis and poliomyelitis, and due to deformities and traumas of the skeletal system
Summary
The human sexuality is a multidisciplinary and holistic phenomenon. The experience of sexuality in its fullnessHow to cite this paper: Baptista, R.S., Pagliuca, L.M.F., Sampaio, A.F.A. and de França, I.S.X. (2014) Sexuality: Experience of Women with Physical Disabilities. The experience of sexuality in its fullness. (2014) Sexuality: Experience of Women with Physical Disabilities. The prevailing idea is that women with disabilities do not need intimacy or sexual expression and are incapable of having a sexual partner. In a society which prizes beauty, perfectness and youth, women with any disability are not appreciated by their potential, but are seen as a fragile person, with no attractiveness. This can trigger frustration, depression and low self-esteem. Strategies for recognizing the value of these women are important to the fullness of their lives, including the practice of sexuality [2]
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