ABSTRACT
This chapter considers the issues of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including HIV. It outlines some of the key risk factors for acquiring STDs, and how persons with disabilities may be placed at increased vulnerability. The chapter focuses predominantly on HIV. Poverty and unemployment may be considered risk factors for STDs and HIV, due to poor nutrition and the resultant compromise in immunity to infections, and because poverty may lead some persons with disabilities, particularly women, to resort to transactional sex and sex work as a means for survival. However, regardless of the incident of 'virgin cleansing' or not, the high prevalence of sexual abuse and exploitation of people with disabilities is a significant transmission route for sexual infections and diseases. The majority of studies investigating HIV risk for persons with disabilities have concentrated on people with learning disabilities, people with mental health problems and persons who are deaf or have a hearing impairment.
