Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Curbing the Risks: Toward a Transdisciplinary Sexual Health Literacy Program for Young Adults Who are Deaf and LGBT+

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Sexuality and Disability Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The alarming increase of HIV cases among young adults in the Philippines due to risky sexual behavior led the authors to investigate sexual behaviors among young adults who are Deaf** and LGBT+*. This project explores the romantic experiences of self-identified young adults who are Deaf and LGBT+ in the Philippines, it also investigates the sexual activities embedded in these experiences. Meanings drawn from the narratives in sign language reveal that there are levels of sexual intimacy (i.e., from “incomplete” to “complete” sex), which vary from one individual to another, with associated risks increasing as activities intensify. Interestingly, the meaning-making process, symbolized in signing, differ from standard spoken language. Further, though data from the participants indicate that most of them are consistently having sex with the same person, certain risk factors have been revealed that could compromise their health: non-use of condoms and inadequate knowledge of the nature and transmission of sexually transmitted infections (e.g., HIV, syphilis, and gonorrhea). While sensory challenge can contribute to difficulties in receiving mainstream sexual health campaigns, the degree of awareness is also hampered by the lack of sign language interpreters collaborating with properly trained professionals to achieve a transdisciplinary*** knowledge of proper sexual health education. Improvements have to be made as far as sexual health education among the Deaf is concerned, and the authors developed a transdisciplinary approach to sexual health literacy to address particularly the sexual health needs of the LGBT+ sector of the Deaf Community.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Notes

  1. The prejudice and the stigma experienced by LGBT individuals from their social environments are contributory to the internalized heterosexism [70, 71]. The other definition of bisexual identity proposes sexual and/or romantic attractions to the “same and other,” with the term “other” encompassing other members of gender non-conforming individuals such as gay and lesbian.

  2. The other definition of bisexual identity proposes sexual and/or romantic attractions to the “same and other,” with the term “other” encompassing other members of gender non-conforming individuals such as gay and lesbian.

References

  1. Demographic Research and Development Foundation and the UP Population Institute: Young adult fertility and sexuality study: getting concerned with reproductive health (2010). http://www.popcom.gov.ph/sppr/sppr02/pdf/sppr02-whole.pdf

  2. Church, A.T.: Filipino personality. De La Salle University Press, Manila (1986)

    Google Scholar 

  3. Gomez, M.G.A.: Sexual behavior among Filipino high school students who are Deaf. Sex. Disabil. 29(4), 301–312 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11195-011-9215-7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Camitan IV, D.: Addressing inappropriate sexual behaviors of adolescents with autism through behavior coaching. Unpublished Master’s Thesis. University of the Philippines Diliman (2016)

  5. Pabayos, A.M.: A sexuality framework for persons with intellectual disability. Unpublished doctoral dissertation. University of the Philippines-Diliman (2017)

  6. Farr, A.C., Wilson, D.P.: An HIV epidemic is ready to emerge in the Philippines. J. Int. AIDS Soc. 13, 16 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1186/1758-2652-13-16

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  7. Kashubeck-West, S., Szymanski, D.M.: Risky sexual behavior in gay and bisexual men. Couns. Psychol. 36, 595–614 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1177/0011000007309633

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Center for Disease Control and Prevention: High-impact HIV prevention: CDC’s approach to reducing HIV infections in the United States (2011). http://www.cdc.gov/nchhstp/highimpactprevention/index.html

  9. Everett, B.G.: Sexual orientation disparities in sexually transmitted infections: examining the intersection between sexual identity and sexual behavior. Arch. Sex. Behav. 42, 225–236 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-012-9902-1

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Geneta, A.L.P.: Exploring the bisexual feelings of men in relation to their sexual experiences with the same and the opposite genders. Unpublished Master’s Thesis. University of the Philippines College of Social Sciences and Philosophy (2016)

  11. Center for Disease Control and Prevention: Centers for disease control and prevention. HIV surveillance report (2015). http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/library/reports/hiv-surveillance.html

  12. Esposa, J.: Filipino Deaf from the eyes of a hearing person (2019). Retrieved from http://deafphilippines.wordpress.com

  13. Caccam, E.M.: Current state and future projections of the spread of HIV/AIDS. In: Yamamoto, T., Itoh, S. (eds.) The Philippines, fighting a rising tide: the response to AIDS in East Asia, pp. 207–225. Japan Center for International Exchange, Tokyo (2006)

    Google Scholar 

  14. Philippine Congress: Republic Act 8504. An act promulgating policies and prescribing measures for the prevention and control of HIV/Aids in the Philippines, instituting a nationwide HIV/Aids Information and Educational Program, establishing a comprehensive HIV/Aids monitoring system, strengthening the Philippine National Aids Council, and for other purposes (1998). Taken from https://www.doh.gov.ph/node/3940

  15. Philippine Congress: Republic Act 11166. An Act Strengthening the Philippine Comprehensive Policy on Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) Prevention, Treatment, Care, and Support, and, Reconstituting the Philippine National Aids Council (PNAC), Repealing for the Purpose Republic Act No. 8504, Otherwise Known as The “Philippine Aids Prevention and Control Act of 1998”, and Appropriating Funds Therefor (2018). Taken from https://lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2018/ra_11166_2018.html

  16. World Health Organization: Developing sexual health programs (2006). Taken from https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/70501/WHO_RHR_HRP_10.22_eng.pdf;jsessionid=91829CD7C4715859FAEF70004E713770?sequence=1

  17. Jones, S., Norton, B.: On the limits of sexual health literacy: insights from Ugandan schoolgirls. Diaspora Indig. Minor. Educ. 1(4), 285–305 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1080/15595690701563998

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. World Health Organization: Sexual health and reproductive literacy (2010). Taken from: https://www.who.int/healthpromotion/conferences/9gchp/sexual-reproductive-health-literacy/en/

  19. Graf, A.S., Patrick, J.H.: Foundations of life-long sexual health literacy. Health Educ. (2015). https://doi.org/10.1108/HE-12-2013-0073

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Boyce, K.S., Travers, M., Rothbart, B., Santiago, V., Bedel, J.: Adapting evidence-based teen pregnancy programs to be LGBT inclusive: lessons. Health Promot. Pract. 19(3), 445–454 (2018)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Freese, T., Padwa, H., Oeser, B., Ruthkowski, B., Schulte, M.: Real-world strategies to engage and retain racial-ethnic minority young men who have sex with men in HIV prevention services. AIDS Patient Care STDs (2017). https://doi.org/10.1089/apc.2016.0310

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Adam, B., Gardner, S., Major, C., Campbell, D., Light, L., Globerman, J.: Promoting HIV testing gay and bisexual men. Health Promot. Pract. 17(1), 40–47 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. World Health Organization: Sexual health, human rights and the law (2015). Taken from https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/175556/9789241564984_eng.pdf

  24. Philippine Congress: Republic Act 7277: The Magna Carta for persons with disabilities (1992). Retrieved from http://hrlibrary.umn.edu/research/Philippines/RA%207277%20-%20Magna%20Carta%20of%20Disabled%20Persons.pdf

  25. Philippine Congress: Republic Act 10354: The Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012 (2012). Taken from https://lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2012/ra_10354_2012.html

  26. Scull, T.M., Malik, C.V., Kupersmidt, J.B.: A media literacy education program to teach adolescents comprehensive sexual health education. J. Media Lit. Educ. 16(1), 1–14 (2014)

    Google Scholar 

  27. Fauk, N.K., Kustanti, K.Y., Wulandari, R., Damayani, A.D., Mwanri, L.: Societal determinants of HIV vulnerability among clients of female commercial sex workers in Indonesia. PLoS ONE 13(1), 1–12 (2018)

    Google Scholar 

  28. Philippine Congress: Education Act of 1982 (1982). Taken from http://www.chanrobles.com/bataspambansabilang232.htm

  29. Philippine Department of Education: Health curriculum guides (Grades 1 to 10) (2016). Taken from http://www.deped.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Health-CG_with-tagged-mathequipment.pdf

  30. Abrigo, M.: HIV/AIDS knowledge and sexual behavior of female young adults in the Philippines. Philippine Institute for Development Studies (2017). Taken from https://pidswebs.pids.gov.ph/CDN/PUBLICATIONS/pidsdps1733.pdf

  31. UNAIDS: Philippine country report (2017). Taken from http://www.unaids.org/en/regionscountries/countries/philippines

  32. Brewer, C.: Holy confrontation: religion, gender and sexuality in the Philippines. Institute of Women’s Studies, St. Scholastica’s College, Manila (2001)

    Google Scholar 

  33. Sizemore, K.M., Olmstead, S.B.: A systematic review of research attitudes towards and willingness to engage in consensual non-monogamy among emerging adults: methodological issues considered. Psychol. Sex. (2017). https://doi.org/10.1080/19419899.2017.1319407

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Ababio, Y., Salifu, Y.: When you talk about virginity it’s about females’: views on virginity among University of Ghana Students. Sex. Cult. 21(2), 549–568 (2017)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. World Health Organization: Deafness and hearing loss key facts (2018). Taken from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/deafness-and-hearing-loss

  36. World Health Organization: World report on disability. World Health Organization, Geneva (2011)

    Google Scholar 

  37. Woodard, J.: English teachers of the deaf: background and communication preference. Teach. Engl. Deaf Second Lang. Stud. 5(2), 4–13 (1987)

    Google Scholar 

  38. Lane, H.: Educating the American sign language speaking minority in the United States. A paper prepared for the Commission on the education of the Deaf. Sign Language Studies, vol. 59, pp. 221–230 (1988)

  39. Heiling, K.: Review of papers presented at the round table session on social and development: services in four countries. Scand. Audiol. 53(30), 101–109 (2001)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. IOM (Institute of Medicine): The Health of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender People: Building a Foundation for Better Understanding. The National Academies Press, Washington, DC (2011)

    Google Scholar 

  41. Novogrodsky, R., Henner, J., Caldwell-Harris, C., Hoffmeister, R.: The development of sensitivity to grammar violations in American Sign Language: native versus non-native signers. Lang. Learn. 67(4), 791–818 (2017)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Philippine Department of Education: DepEd child protection policy (2012). Taken from https://www.deped.gov.ph/2012/05/14/do-40-s-2012-deped-child-protection-policy/

  43. Touko, A., Mboua, C.P., Tohmuntain, P.M., Perrot, A.B.: Sexual vulnerability and HIV seroprevalence among the Deaf and hearing impaired in Cameroon. J. Int. AIDS Soc. 13(5), 1–8 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1186/1758-2652-13-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Haruna, H., Hu, X., Chu, S.K., Mellecker, R., Gabriel, G., Ndekao, P.S.: Improving sexual health education programs for adolescent students through game-based learning and gamification. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health. (2018). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15092027

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  45. Ybarra, M., Rosario, M., Saewac, E., Goodenow, E.: Sexual behaviors and partner characteristics by sexual identity among adolescent girls. J. Adolesc. Health (2016). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2015.11.001

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  46. Goncalve de Assis, S., Gomes, R., Pires, T.: Adolescence, sexual behavior and risk factors to health. Revista Saude Publica (2014). https://doi.org/10.1590/s0034-8910.2014048004638

    Article  Google Scholar 

  47. Mallinson, R.K.: Perceptions of HIV/AIDS by deaf gay men. J. Assoc. Nurses AIDS Care 15, 27–36 (2004)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  48. Bat-Chava, Y., Martin, D., Kosciw, J.G.: Barriers to HIV/AIDS knowledge prevention among deaf and hard of hearing people. AIDS Care 17, 623–634 (2005)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  49. Monaghan, L., Karp, D.: HIV/AIDS and the Deaf community. In: Marthur, G., Napoli, D.J. (eds.) Deaf Around the World: The Impact of Language. Oxford University Press, Inc., New York (2011)

    Google Scholar 

  50. United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs: UN convention on the rights of people with disabilities. (2006). Taken from https://www.un.org/development/desa/disabilities/convention-on-the-rights-of-persons-with-disabilities/article-25-health.html

  51. Kuenburg, A., Fellinger, P., Fellinger, J.: Health care access among deaf people. J. Deaf Stud. Deaf Educ. 21(1), 1–10 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1093/deafed/env042

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. Wittle, T.N., Kuzel, A.J.: Elderly deaf patients’ health care experiences. J. Board Fam. Pract. 13, 17–22 (2000)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  53. Terry, D.R., Le, Q., Nguyen, H.B.: Moving forward with dignity: exploring health awareness in an isolated Deaf community of Australia. Disabil. Health J. 9, 281–288 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  54. Napier, J., Kidd, M.R.: English literacy as a barrier to health care information for deaf people who use AusLan. Aust. Fam. Physician 42, 896–899 (2013)

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  55. Chaveiro, N., Barbosa, M.A.: Assistance to the deaf in the health area as a factor of social inclusion. Revista da Escola de Enfermagem da USP 39, 417–422 (2005)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  56. Ralston, E., Zazove, P., Gorenflo, D.W.: Physicians’ attitudes and beliefs about deaf patients. J. Am. Board Fam. Pract. 9, 167–173 (1996). https://doi.org/10.3122/jabfm.9.3.167

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  57. Nielsen-Bohlman, L., Panzer, A.M., Kindig, D.A.: Health Literacy: A Prescription to End Confusion. National Academies Press, Washington, DC (2004)

    Book  Google Scholar 

  58. Kaboudi, M., Kianipou, N., Ziapour, A., Dehghan, F.: A study of health literacy components and their relationships with health-promoting behaviors in students of Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences. Int. J. Pediatr. 12(48), 6721–6729 (2017)

    Google Scholar 

  59. Von Wagner, C., Knight, K., Steptoe, A., Wardle, J.: Functional health literacy and health-promoting behavior in a national sample of British adults. J. Epidemiol. Community Health 61(12), 1086–1090 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1136/jech.2006.053967

    Article  Google Scholar 

  60. Jacquinet, M., Curado, H., Lacerda, A., Sousa, M.J., Arraya, M., Rimenta, R., Martins, E.: Handbook of Research on Tacit Knowledge Management for Organizational Success. IGI Global, Pennsylvania (2017)

    Google Scholar 

  61. Sykes, S., Willis, J., Rowlands, G., Popple, K.: Understanding critical health literacy: a concept analysis. BMC Public Health (2013). https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-13-150

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  62. Van Lange, A.M., Kruglanski, A.W., Higgins, E.T.: Handbook of Theories in Social Psychology. Erlbaum Associates, New York (2012)

    Book  Google Scholar 

  63. Philippine Department of Education: OK sa DepEd (2018). Taken from http://www.deped.gov.ph/2018/07/16/ok-sa-deped-converges-health-programs-towards-social-development/

  64. Philippine Department of Education: Personal development curriculum guide (Senior High School) (2018). Taken from http://www.deped.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/SHS-Core_Personal-Development-CG.pdf

  65. Williams, C., Mc Lean, M.: Young deaf children’s response to picture book reading in a preschool setting. Res. Teach. Engl. 31(3), 337–366 (1997)

    Google Scholar 

  66. Lopez, M.: Symbolic keyboard for computer aided instruction of deaf children. J. Biomed. Eng. 9(3), 232–236 (1987)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  67. Barnett, S., McKee, M., Smith, S., Pearson, T.: Deaf sign language users, health inequities and public health: opportunity for social justice. Prev. Chronic Disabil. 8(2), 45–50 (2011)

    Google Scholar 

  68. Tulloch, T., Kauffman, M.: Adolescent sexuality. Pediatr. Rev. 34(1) (2013). Taken from https://pedsinreview.aappublications.org/content/34/1/29

  69. Warzak, W.J., Page, T.J.: Teaching refusal skills to sexually active adolescents. J. Behav. Therapy Exp. Psychiatry 21(2), 133–139 (1990)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  70. Meyer, I.H.: Prejudice, social stress, and mental health in lesbian, gay, and bisexual populations: conceptual issues and research evidence. Psychol. Bull. 129, 674–697 (2003)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  71. Sophie, J.: Internalized homophobia and lesbian identity. J. Homosex. 14, 53–65 (1987)

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines

    Marie Grace A. Gomez

  2. University of the Philippines Diliman Extension Program in Pampanga, Mabalacat, Philippines

    Archie Lawrence P. Geneta

Authors
  1. Marie Grace A. Gomez
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Archie Lawrence P. Geneta
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Marie Grace A. Gomez.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

*The use of the term “LGBT+” intends to highlight the complexity and diversity of human sexual experience. The authors acknowledge the rich fabric of human sexuality where gender identities, sexual orientations, and sexual preferences are intricately connected to each other in ways that are never completely captured in the simplistic use of traditional heteronormative dichotomous labels particularly “heterosexual” and “gay/lesbian”.

**“Deaf” is capitalized for the purpose of referring to those with hearing loss who adhere to manual communication methods. The authors’ use of the capitalized “Deaf” and the qualifier “who are Deaf” (rather than “with deafness”) is with careful consideration of certain cultural sensitivities relating to the Deaf community. In this line, of another important note is that Filipino Sign Language is used in this article.

***A transdisciplinary team consists of various professionals who work collaboratively towards a specific goal.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Gomez, M.G.A., Geneta, A.L.P. Curbing the Risks: Toward a Transdisciplinary Sexual Health Literacy Program for Young Adults Who are Deaf and LGBT+. Sex Disabil 39, 195–213 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11195-020-09637-0

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11195-020-09637-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation