THE EXPERIENCES OF WOMEN WITH DISABILITIES IN ACCESSING REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH SERVICES IN BOLGATANGA MUNICIPALITY

Abstract

People living with disabilities are individuals in society who are faced with challenges in performing normal daily activities of living due to physical or mental malfunction. It is estimated that the world's population is made up of 15% of persons with disabilities with a great majority from low-income countries especially in Africa. These individuals living with disabilities require quality health care including the area of reproduction by the state. After a decade of the enactment of Persons with Disability Act of Ghana (Act 715), Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) seem not to have seen significant changes in their wellbeing, particularly meeting their reproductive health needs. Some Ghanaians believe that PWDs have no needs for sexual and reproductive services. The health care system, society and various governments have failed to show enough commitment to uphold policies that enhance access to Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) services by Women with Disabilities (WWDs). This study explored the experiences women with disabilities face in accessing reproductive health services. The main objective of the study was to explore the experiences of WWDs in accessing reproductive health services in Bolgatanga Municipality. Qualitative method was used to collect data from WWDs aged 15 - 49 years. The respondents were stratified to include the various forms of disabilities (physical, visual, and speech and hearing impaired persons) and purposively selected a total of 24 respondents.The Braun and Clarke (2006) framework for thematic analysis was used to analyse data. Findings revealed unfriendly infrastructure for persons with disabilities at health facilities, unfriendly attitudes of some health personnel and other clients towards WWDs, inadequate support from family members and society, and communication barriers during reproductive health care seeking. The government with partnership of other stakeholders should be committed and promote policies that facilitate access to sexual and reproductive services to women with disabilities.