Challenges in accessing sexual and reproductive health services by people with physical disabilities in Kampala, Uganda

Abstract

IntroductionDespite the universal right to access the same range, quality and standard of free or affordable health care and programs as provided to other persons, people with physical disabilities (PWPDs) continue to experience challenges in accessing these services. This article presents the challenges faced by PWPDs in accessing sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services in Kampala, Uganda.MethodsThis was a qualitative study that was conducted with male and female PWPDs in Kampala in 2007. Data on the challenges experienced by PWPDs in accessing SRH services were collected using in-depth interviews with 40 PWPDs and key informant interviews with 10 PWPDs’ representatives, staff of agencies supporting PWPDs and health workers. All data were captured verbatim using an audio-tape recorder, entered into a Microsoft Word computer program and analyzed manually following a content thematic approach.ResultsThe study findings show that PWPDs face a multitude of challenges in accessing SRH services including negative attitudes of service providers, long queues at health facilities, distant health facilities, high costs of services involved, unfriendly physical structures and the perception from able-bodied people that PWPDs should be asexual.ConclusionPeople with physical disabilities (PWPDs) face health facility-related (service provider and facility-related challenges), economic and societal challenges in accessing SRH services. These findings call for a need to sensitize service providers on SRH needs of PWPDs for better support and for the government to enforce the provision of PWPD-friendly services in all health facilities.

‘You’re disabled, why did you have sex in the first place?’ An intersectional analysis of experiences of disabled women with regard to their sexual and reproductive health and rights in Gujarat State, India

“…Our intersectional perspective thus highlights how limited provision of physically accessible SRH services interacts with socio-economic inequities in access to quality healthcare in urban Gujarat [57]. Financial inequities may be exacerbated for some disabled women due to unequal distribution of household resources and their relatively low perceived contribution to household finances [9,31,58,59]. Simultaneous action is needed to improve physical and financial accessibility of health services, including SRH services.…”

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“…Despite widespread ratification of UNCRPD (4) and ICESCR (5), women with disabilities in Sub-Saharan Africa still face numerous barriers to receiving adequate sexual and reproductive health care (6, 7). Common themes reported in qualitative studies with people with disabilities include: expensive and limited transportation to facilities, physical inaccessibility of facilities, communication problems with health staff, and staff inexperience and insensitivity with people with disabilities (6, 7).…”

“…Common themes reported in qualitative studies with people with disabilities include: expensive and limited transportation to facilities, physical inaccessibility of facilities, communication problems with health staff, and staff inexperience and insensitivity with people with disabilities (6, 7). Even in South Africa, where the constitution specifically protects the rights of people with disabilities and cites access to reproductive rights in the right to access health care, this population still reports numerous difficulties (8, 9).…”

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