Sexuality and Deafness: a Systematic Review

Abstract

The existence of myths and taboos about sexuality may lead to challenges in spreading adequate information to society. It is a known fact that the deaf population faces a lack of information about this theme caused by the absence of means to acquire the same information that listeners have. Thus, this systematic review of scientific articles about sexuality and deafness was conducted. Between September 2017 and November 2017, we searched in five databases (SciELO, PePSIC, LILACS, PsycINFO and Scopus) for the descriptors sexuality, deafness, deaf and hearing impaired, in Portuguese, English and Spanish, for the period between 2000-2017, rendering 15 articles. Sexuality through sexual experiences, mythos and relationships, as well as violence and/or sexual abuse were the subjects with highest prevalence. However, the matter of homosexuality was less evident in scientific productions. The review showed that the set of evaluated studies portrayed sexuality in an embracing manner and involved current themes. In addition, there is a lack of scientific articles about sexuality and deafness, and so more studies with deaf people to understandd them, guide them and inform them about the subject in question are required.

Keywords:
Sexuality; Deafness; Hearing Impaired; Sexual Education; Sexual Health