title: Challenges in accessing sexual and reproductive health services by people with physical disabilities in Kampala, Uganda.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Despite the universal right to access the same range, quality and standard of free or affordable health care and programs as provided to other persons, people with physical disabilities (PWPDs) continue to experience challenges in accessing these services. This article presents the challenges faced by PWPDs in accessing sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services in Kampala, Uganda.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a qualitative study that was conducted with male and female PWPDs in Kampala in 2007. Data on the challenges experienced by PWPDs in accessing SRH services were collected using in-depth interviews with 40 PWPDs and key informant interviews with 10 PWPDs' representatives, staff of agencies supporting PWPDs and health workers. All data were captured verbatim using an audio-tape recorder, entered into a Microsoft Word computer program and analyzed manually following a content thematic approach.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study findings show that PWPDs face a multitude of challenges in accessing SRH services including negative attitudes of service providers, long queues at health facilities, distant health facilities, high costs of services involved, unfriendly physical structures and the perception from able-bodied people that PWPDs should be asexual.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  People with physical disabilities (PWPDs) face health facility-related (service provider and facility-related challenges), economic and societal challenges in accessing SRH services. These findings call for a need to sensitize service providers on SRH needs of PWPDs for better support and for the government to enforce the provision of PWPD-friendly services in all health facilities.
authors.affiliation: MakSPH-CDC Fellowship Program, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, School of Public Health, P,O, Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda. tashaahumuza@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Sharon Eva
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Ahumuza
authors.forename: Joseph K B
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Matovu
authors.forename: John Bosco
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Ddamulira
authors.forename: Florence Kyoheirwe
authors.initials: FK
authors.lastname: Muhanguzi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D036301:Qualitative Research; D034121:Reproductive Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014454:Uganda; D055815:Young Adult
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