Access to and utilization of reproductive health services by rural women with disabilities in Rural Uganda

John M. Atwebembeire, Makerere University
John Ampeire, Makerere University

A cross sectional study using a sample of 187 rural women with disabilities in Kabale district and 10 key informants investigated access to and utilization of Reproductive Health services by women with disabilities in Rural Uganda. Access to and utilization of reproductive health services by rural women with disabilities was found to increase with age and education. Married women accessed and utilized reproductive health services more than their unmarried counterparts. Women who used relatives as the source of information regarding reproductive health accessed and utilized reproductive health services were more than those who used other sources. Stigma against women with disabilities was found to be high in rural Uganda and many men took advantage of young girls with disabilities and wanted them for sex at night, but did not want to identify with them for marriage.