Experiences of Women with Visual and Orthopedic Disabilities in Obstetrics and Gynecology Units: A Phenomenological Study

Abstract

Experiences of women with visual and orthopedic disabilities in obstetrics and gynecology units: A Phenomenological Study
 
 ABSTRACT
 Objective: This research was conducted to understand the core/base of the experiences, thoughts, and feelings of women with visual and orthopedic disabilities about health care services related to obstetrics and gynecology units. 
 Bu araştırmanın amacı, görme ve ortopedik engelli kadınların obstetri ve jinekoloji birimleri ile ilgili yaşadıkları deneyimlerini, düşüncelerini ve hislerini anlamaktır.
 Methods: A descriptive phenomenological design was used in this study. This study was conducted with women with 10 visual and 12 orthopedic disabilities registered to physical disability associations in Izmir, western Turkey, between May 2020 and November 2020. Data were collected by in-depth interview method using semi-structured questions. All transcripts were evaluated by two researchers and codes were created. The codes formed the sub-themes in terms of similarities and differences, themes were created as a result of combining sub-themes. 
 Results: The data obtained consists of two main themes: 1) 'Challenges and Problems' 2) 'Health Professionals'. 'Challenges and Problems' has 10 sub-themes: Social pressure, dependence on others-helplessness, problems with gynecology/obstetrics examination chairs, transportation problems, poor physical conditions, financial problems, procrastination/disregard, obscurity-uneasiness, privacy-shame-hesitate, and discourses in the past. 'Health Professionals' and it has four positive sub-themes and eight negative sub-themes. Positive sub-themes; introducing-describing the physical environment, helping, giving information before the procedure, being understanding and relevant. Negative sub-themes; not taking enough time-disinterest, exclusion- stigma, violence, maltreatment from female healthcare professionals, communication problems, lack of privacy, helplessness, and lack of education/awareness. 
 Conclusion: In the study, it was concluded that women with visual and orthopedic disabilities experienced problems, negative thoughts and feelings related to the attitudes and behaviors of individual, environmental, social, institutional, economic, information and health professionals related to obstetrics and gynecology units.Therefore, women health policies should concentrate on problems experienced by women with visual and orthopedic disabilities and health professionals in obstetrics and gynecology units.
 Keywords: Disability; visual disabilities; orthopedic disabilities; obstetrics and gynecology units; phenomenology.
 Financing
 All persons listed as authors participated sufficiently in this study to accept public responsibility for the manuscript content. This article did not receive any funding from public or private entities.