Accessibility and Utilization of Sexual and Reproductive Health Services among People with Disabilities in Nepal

Abstract

The study aims to assess the factors determining the access and utilization of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services among people with disabilities residing in the Kathmandu Valley of Nepal. A cross-sectional study was conducted among randomly selected 422 people with disabilities in Kathmandu Valley. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using structured questionnaires. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted. Among a total of 422 participants, 32.7% had utilized SRH-related education, information, and counselling services. Contraceptive-related services were utilized by 47.6% of participants, pregnancy-related services by 27.7%, safe abortion-related services by 13.0%, and HIV testing and treatment services by 3.6%. Likewise, 16.8% of participants utilized STI screening, diagnosis, and management services. Males were 2.5 times more likely to utilize SRH services compared to females (AOR = 2.5, 95% CI = 1.4-4.2), whereas unmarried participants were less likely to utilize SRH services as compared to single/separated/divorced (AOR = 0.2, 95% CI = 0.0-0.5). Similarly, participants who were living with their families compared to those living alone (AOR = 3.4, 95% CI = 1.4-7.7), and participants who were unemployed compared to employed (AOR = 1.8, 95% CI = 1.0-3.5) had higher odds for utilization of SRH services. There are significant variations depending on the intersections of various characteristics affecting the utilization rate across different SRH services among people with disabilities. Contraceptive-related services were the most utilized service, whereas safe abortion, pregnancy related services, STI screening and management services and HIV testing and treatment services were less utilized services.