Reproductive health experiences among women with physical disabilities in the Northwest Region of Cameroon.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the reproductive health experiences among women with physical disabilities in the Northwest Region of Cameroon.


METHODS
Data were collected in the city of Bamenda through semi-structured interviews with women with mobility impairments, discussions with healthcare providers, hospital observations, and field notes. Interviews were transcribed verbatim, coded and analyzed for key themes.


RESULTS
The 8 participants included in the study had limited understanding of reproductive health and many had not received basic reproductive health education. Unplanned pregnancy was common and pregnancy was often feared. Respondents reported both positive and negative responses from family, community members, and healthcare workers regarding reproductive health. Most healthcare centers were physically and financially inaccessible.


CONCLUSIONS
Women with disabilities need greater education on reproductive health and improved access to health care.
Bremer
Kimberly
K
University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. kim.bremer@utoronto.ca
Cockburn
Lynn
L
Ruth
Acheinegeh
A
D000328:Adult; D002163:Cameroon; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000523:psychology*; D018456:Reproductive Medicine / Q000193:education; D016387:Women's Health