title: Sexuality and sexual reproductive health of disabled young people in Ethiopia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In Ethiopia, young people with disabilities (YPWD) are often marginalized and not recognized as being sexual, and only little is known about their sexual reproductive health (SRH) status. We therefore aimed to assess the SRH status and associated factors among 426 YPWD in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2012. Data were collected by trained interviewers using a structured questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty-two percent of YPWD ever had sexual intercourse. Seventy-five percent started sex between 15 and 19 years. Only 35% had used contraceptive during their first sexual encounter. Fifty-nine percent of the sexually experienced YPWD had multiple lifetime sexual partners; 19%, a casual sexual partner; and 21%, a commercial sexual partner. Only 48% consistently used condoms with their casual or commercial sexual partners. Twenty-four percent of the sexually experienced YPWD had a history of sexually transmitted infections.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings indicate that YPWD in Ethiopia are sexually active, but also highly involved in risky sexual practices. There is a need for in-depth research to better understand the determinants of risky sexual behavior and to propose preventive approaches.
authors.affiliation: From the *Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health, Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany; †LIFE-Leipzig Research Center for Civilization Diseases, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany; and ‡School of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
authors.forename: Tigist Alemu
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Kassa
authors.forename: Tobias
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Luck
authors.forename: Samuel Kinde
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Birru
authors.forename: Steffi G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Riedel-Heller
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003075:Coitus; D003273:Contraceptive Devices / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005002:Ethiopia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020380:Needs Assessment; D034121:Reproductive Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology; D019529:Sexuality / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult