Condom Use Experiences, Attitudes and Barriers Among Blind and Low-Vision Adults
Ann Okhiria
Undergraduate Researcher
Computer Science Major (Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, & Engineering)
Jennifer Piatt
Faculty Mentor
Jennifer Piatt (School of Public Health)
Project Description
Barriers to condom use among blind and low-vision individuals (BLV) have been understudied. Contrary to common misbeliefs related to the sexuality of BLV persons (i.e., BLV people are asexual and childlike), they have similar rates of sexual activity as the general population (Kelly & Kapperman, 2012). Research has found that BLV individuals have less contraceptive knowledge compared to sighted individuals. Moreover, BLV individuals show gaps in knowledge related to safer sex behaviors and risk factors, reported rarely using condoms and having negative experiences with STIs than sighted persons. Therefore, this study aimed to explore condom use experiences and attitudes among BLV adults. Additionally, this study aimed to identify the main condom use barriers specific to BLV adults.
Technology or Computational Component
This study has completed the first phase of data collection and will now move into developing an intervention. The computational component will be working with software to analyze the data, write-up reports, as well as manuscripts and publications.