Reproductive health barriers facing men and women with disabilities in Durban, South Africa

Abstract

The aim of this study is to understand the barriers facing persons with disabilities in accessing reproductive health services. In-depth interviews were conducted with men and women with various disabilities. The interviews reveal that men and women with disabilities face various reproductive health problems. However, they are many barriers in accessing reproductive health services including physical and geographical. The negative attitudes of health providers also limit their access to services. Individual’s right to be treated with dignity, respect and to access sexual and reproductive health services is often overshadowed by negative stereotypes that are held about persons with disabilities. Ensuring that persons with disabilities have access to reproductive health services provides them with more choices to best meet their needs and empower them.

Keywords: persons with disabilities, reproductive health services, access, South Africa