Perceptions of deaf youth about their vulnerability to sexual and reproductive health problems in Masvingo District, Zimbabwe.

This article examined the perceptions of deaf youth about their vulnerability to sexual and reproductive health problems in Masvingo District of Zimbabwe. A quasi-survey was employed to carry out the field study. Therefore, a snowball sampling procedure was used to identify the respondents mainly because the target population constitutes one of the hard-to-reach groups. A sample of 50 deaf youth aged between 15 - 24 years was conveniently determined due to lack of comprehensive data of deaf population in the study area. Therefore, conclusions made in data analysis only referenced to the sampled population. Fifty questionnaires were administered among the deaf youth to collect quantitative data. Ten in-depth face-to-face interviews were carried out with deaf youth in order to qualify the magnitude of perceptions of deaf youth about their vulnerability to sexual and reproductive health problems. Sexual activity is taking place among the sampled deaf. The perceptions they had about vulnerability to sexual and reproductive health problems are mainly shaped by sexual socialization than their sensory conditions. Understanding the factors which influence the perceptions of deaf youth about sexual and reproductive health problems is significant mainly because the sexuality of people living with disabilities is poorly understood and neglected thereby putting them at risk of sexual and reproductive health problems as well as exposed to sexual violence. The study recommends that the government may adopt a human-rights approach to the provision of sexual and reproductive health services to ensure universal access information and inclusivity.