Academic Research Journal on Health Information Management

Vol. 5(2), pp. 55-61, June 2024

ISSN: 2734-2190

https://doi.org/10.14662/arjhim2024500

 

Full Length Research

 

 

Disability Inclusion and Access to Sexual Reproduction Health amongst Women and Girls with Disabilities in Plateau State, Nigeria

 

1Amwe, Racheal Asibi, 2Aliu, Charity Ukwo and 3Longpoe Patricia Kwalzoom

 

1Department Of Special Education And Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty Of Education University of Jos. 2Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Education, University of Jos. EMAIL:charityaliu50@gmail.com 3Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Education, University of Jos. Email:lonpoepatricia@gmail.com  

Corresponding author’s E-MAIL: amweracheal44@gmail.com  

Accepted 14 June 2024

Abstract

Abstract: Women and girls with disabilities (WGDs) often experience exclusion and discrimination due to their gender and disability despite having the same Sexual Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) as anybody else. Inclusion and access to Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) services amongst WGDs hasbeen abysmally inadequate over the years and several factors impede full inclusion and access to qualitative and adequate SRHservices within their communities. This study seeks to provide an analysis of disability inclusion and access to sexual reproduction health amongst women and girls with disabilities in Jos metropolis, Plateau State. The population comprised of women and girls with disabilities in 2 urban and 2 rural areas in Jos metropolis. Sample comprised of 68 women with girls with disabilities (with visual, hearing, physical and intellectual impairments). A descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. Data was collected using structured questionnaires and focus group interviews. Findings of the study revealed that the identified SRH needs of WGDs include contraceptive and family planning services, prenatal and postnatal care, safe abortion and postnatal care, HIV/AIDs and STI testing, adaptation of facilities/resources on SRH to suit different categories of impairment amongst others. Similarly, the barriers that WGDs face in accessing SRH services includes structural and attitudinal barriers policies and limited information on SRH for WGDs amongst other barriers. It is therefore recommendedthat disability-friendly inclusive healthcare centres should be established in primary health care centres at the community level (in both rural and urban communities) to serve as assess points to receiving qualitative sexual reproductive healthcare services and information on SRH for WGDs in Jos Metropolis, Plateau State.

 

Keywords: Disability Inclusion, Women and Girls with Disabilities (WGDs), Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH)

Paper type: research