Reproductive health experiences among women with physical disabilities in the Northwest Region of Cameroon

Abstract

Women with disabilities need greater education on reproductive health and improved access to health care.

The Support Network in Pregnancy and Childbirth: The Conceptions of Women With Physical Disability

“…It was observed that this type of support allows the puerperal women to feel safer during the period of adaptation while they mature for the new role exercised. [7][8] In the present study, the partner was also indicated among the participants as fundamental support throughout the pregnancy and after the birth.…”

“…5 Studies undertaken in Nepal and in Cameroon observed the presence of family members and neighbors making themselves available to help the women in their domestic activities, and their finances, and through providing advice. [6][7] Studies addressing women, regardless of the presence or not of disability, have emphasized the importance of the maternal figure as assistance during the early times of motherhood, when the daughters generally have the responsibility of caring for both the house and the child and cannot yet balance their tasks in such a way as to achieve success. It was observed that this type of support allows the puerperal women to feel safer during the period of adaptation while they mature for the new role exercised.…”

“…7 On the other hand, other investigations have revealed that the women see their partners as a source of support and security, reducing the tension arising from the transition to the maternal function. [9][10] Agreeing with the authors, one can infer the need of the women with disability to feel themselves to be social subjects capable of developing loving re-lationships and having active sexual and reproductive lives.…”

“…However, also according to the researchers of the Cameroonian study, the members of the community in which the women were integrated encouraged the conjugal union in the perspective of the women having someone who considered them to be important. 7 As a result, there are ambiguous social ideas regarding the relationships established by the woman with a disability; some accept her as a sexual being, while others treat her with pity due to the disability.…”

“…7,16 The suppression of care, whether intentionally or not, impacts on the sexual and reproductive life of the women with disability, failing to detect possible problems during the pregnancy and parturition. 13 During the discussion on the absence of support, the partner was also mentioned in the accounts of the women with disability who experienced motherhood: [ In the above-mentioned accounts, the women mentioned difficulties in taking motherhood forward without the support of their child's father.…”