Identifying Barriers and Facilitators to Breast Health Services among Women with Disabilities

Abstract

Women with disabilities experience significant disparities in accessing breast health services. Many studies have focused on barriers, but few have explored facilitators to improving breast health services. This study used a participatory-research approach involving women with physical, mobility, sensory, and developmental disabilities to explore facilitators and barriers affecting the access and quality of breast health services. Findings confirmed commonly cited barriers including attitudinal, environmental, financial, and structural issues but also identified multiple facilitators such as enhancing accessibility of breast health facilities and equipment, improving information sources, and increasing training of health professionals. Findings from this study can be used in improving breast health services among women with disabilities by targeting not only the removal of barriers but also the increase in proven facilitators.