Reproductive Health

Biography

Biography: Ruchi Sharma

Abstract

Introduction- In recent past, there has been a lot of discussion about disability and related issues among the medical fraternity. Still, the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) rights of the WWD have remained on the paper. Disabled women tend to postpone or ignore their SRH problems till these progress to unbearable severity because of stigma and discrimination (S&D) faced by them. This compromises their opportunity of unrestrained participation in various spheres of life.

Objectives

a) To ascertain the status of stigma and discrimination associated with SRH problems among WWD in a city of north India

b) To develop a model to reduce S & D associated with SRH of WWD

Methodology- 100 WWD with age 15 years and above with at least 40% disability were enlisted from various sources viz- Hospitals, Colleges, banks etc of Chandigarh city.  A self-administered questionnaire was used to gather information regarding socio-demographic details, medical history and self-reported symptoms suggestive of SRH morbidity. Stigma and discrimination pertaining to SRH problem was also explored. On basis of above findings a model was developed addressing attitudinal barrier (S&D) and other barriers faced by WWD in hospitals and society in general.

Results- Average age of respondents was 24 yrs. Many (42%) females had locomotor disability followed by blindness (32%), low vision (12%), hearing impairment (10%) and mental illness (4%).   Some (26%) respondents had abnormal medical history with hypertension followed by diabetes as commonly reported problem. In terms of SRH, 65 respondents had self-reported or diagnosed symptoms of Sexual and reproductive morbidity.

When interviewed regarding Stigma faced by them, majority (66%) of respondents said that their SRH problem were ascribed by people to disability-“2 baar abortion hua to sabhi ne kaha ki iss polio ki dikkat ki vjah se baccha kharab hua hai, sara din bethi jo rehti hai” (After 2 recurrent abortions everybody pointed that It was due to polio as I keep sitting most of the time)

Many (44%) WWD reported that people embarrassed them because of their SRH problem. Majority (75%) of WWD told that people’s reaction forced them to hide their problems. 80% respondents felt that their health problems made them feel that life was unfair to them. Furthermore, the negative attitudes health professionals and family member to disabled women's sexuality resulted in their own views of their sexual selves becoming negative. Some of them (16%) felt they were discriminated against by health professionals:2 abortion k baad yahan ayi to doctors ne kaha ki- “Tumhe baccha karne ki kya zarurat hai. Adopt nahin kar sakti thi..baccha kaise paida karegi. Koi tang karta hai kya bachhe k liye??”After two abortions when I came her for treatment I was questioned why I wanted to conceive and bear children. I should have opted for adoption as I am incapable of giving birth. Doctors even asked if I was forced for children by my family. Why would anybody force me?? I want my own children“Meri bed wetting ki problems ko doctors ne kabhi seriously liya hi nahin” My bed wetting problem was never taken seriously by doctors.

Based on above findings a model has been suggested to convert present hospital friendly to SRH needs of WWD. 2 ICMR sponsored seminars were also held to sensitize various stakeholders on SRH concerns of WWD.

Conclusion- Stigma and discrimination impede disabled women’s ability to access quality health services that respects the dignity of all users. Many disabled women have poor experiences in OBG OPDs with misinformed or insensitive health professionals.