Abstract
BackgroundStudies show that different socio-economic and structural factors can limit access to healthcare for women with disabilities. The aim of the current study was to review barriers in access to healthcare services for women with disabilities (WWD) internationally.MethodsWe conducted a systematic review of relevant qualitative articles in PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus databases from January 2009 to December 2017. The search strategy was based on two main topics: (1) access to healthcare; and (2) disability. In this review, women (older than 18) with different kinds of disabilities (physical, sensory and intellectual disabilities) were included. Studies were excluded if they were not peer-reviewed, and had a focus on men with disabilities.ResultsTwenty four articles met the inclusion criteria for the final review. In each study, participants noted various barriers to accessing healthcare. Findings revealed that WWD faced different sociocultural (erroneous assumptions, negative attitudes, being ignored, being judged, violence, abuse, insult, impoliteness, and low health literacy), financial (poverty, unemployment, high transportation costs) and structural (lack of insurance coverage, inaccessible equipment and transportation facilities, lack of knowledge, lack of information, lack of transparency, and communicative problems) factors which impacted their access healthcare.ConclusionsHealthcare systems need to train the healthcare workforce to respect WWD, pay attention to their preferences and choices, provide non-discriminatory and respectful treatment, and address stigmatizing attitudinal towards WWD. In addition, families and communities need to participate in advocacy efforts to promote WWD’s access to health care.
Highlights
Context and problem statement Purpose or research question Study design Qualitative approachParticipation selection Sampling Description of sampleSample size Data collection Research team and reflexivity
The literature on healthcare shows that people with disabilities (PWD) experience worse health outcomes compared to their counterparts without disabilities
In the 24 included studies, a total of 492 women with disabilities (WWD) were included in the overall sample
Summary
Context and problem statement Purpose or research question Study design Qualitative approachParticipation selection Sampling Description of sampleSample size Data collection Research team and reflexivity. Studies show that different socio-economic and structural factors can limit access to healthcare for women with disabilities. The aim of the current study was to review barriers in access to healthcare services for women with disabilities (WWD) internationally. Survey estimates that the prevalence of disability among women is 60% higher than men [1]. We see a higher rates of disability status in low income countries. In these countries, studies report a higher disability rate among women compared to men [2, 3]. The literature on healthcare shows that people with disabilities (PWD) experience worse health outcomes compared to their counterparts without disabilities.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
