학술논문
"Sex Should Not Be Part of the Lives of Persons with Disabilities, but They Are Human Beings Too": Perceptions of Healthcare Providers and Factors Affecting Service Delivery in Ghana.
Document Type
Academic Journal
Author
Seidu AA; Public Health & Tropical Medicine, College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia.; Department of Population and Health, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast P.O. Box UC 182, Ghana.; Malau-Aduli BS; College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia.; School of Medicine and Public Health, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW 2308, Australia.; McBain-Rigg K; Public Health & Tropical Medicine, College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia.; Malau-Aduli AEO; School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW 2308, Australia.; Emeto TI; Public Health & Tropical Medicine, College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia.; World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Vector-Borne and Neglected Tropical Diseases, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia.
Source
Publisher: MDPI AG Country of Publication: Switzerland NLM ID: 101666525 Publication Model: Electronic Cited Medium: Print ISSN: 2227-9032 (Print) Linking ISSN: 22279032 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Healthcare (Basel) Subsets: PubMed not MEDLINE
Subject
Language
English
ISSN
2227-9032
Abstract
Persons with disabilities (PwDs) constitute about 16% of the global population and face many challenges in every society, including access to sexual and reproductive healthcare. The attitudes of healthcare providers (HPs) exert a major influence on PwDs accessing sexual and reproductive healthcare (SRH). A sequential explanatory mixed methods design was used to investigate the attitudes and perceptions of HPs towards PwDs and SRH delivery in Ghana's Ashanti region. Quantitative data analysis indicated that overall, 82% of HPs had received information on disability-related issues and had relatively positive attitude towards PwDs, which varied across sub-scales of the Attitude Towards Disability score and associated with their sociodemographic characteristics. HPs faced several challenges in SRH services delivery to PwDs, which included a lack of funding and training, and inadequate staff. Inductive thematic analysis of the qualitative data revealed eight overarching themes. The findings revealed that HPs had prejudice about the mental and sexual health abilities of PwDs. Inadequate skill set, inadequate resources, and limited funding were major challenges identified. Nonetheless, compassion and benevolence towards PwDs, improvision, economic and educational support, awareness creation, and referrals were strategies adopted to overcome these challenges. Mandatory training of HPs is recommended to ensure improved SRH service delivery to PwDs. Future research could explore the perceptions and coping strategies of PwDs.