Accessibility and utilisation of reproductive healthcare services among women with disabilities in Lithuania: Insights from a mixed-methods study.

BACKGROUND

Women with disabilities worldwide face barriers to reproductive healthcare, including accessibility challenges and negative attitudes from medical professionals. These issues reflect multiple intersecting forms of discrimination.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to examine how women with various disabilities in Lithuania access reproductive healthcare services, evaluate their experiences with these services, and explore the related attitudes of clinicians.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study employs a mixed-methods convergent design. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected through an online survey (n = 154) and two focus groups with medical professionals (n = 12). Statistical and thematic analyses were performed using SPSS and MAXQDA.

RESULTS

Over half of the women rated their reproductive healthcare experiences as average to very bad. Issues spanned preventive, general, pregnancy, labour, childbirth, and postpartum care. Participants with hearing, mobility, physical disabilities, and autism reported more issues, often citing inaccessible infrastructure, lack of Sign language interpretation, written consultations, or Easy-to-Read materials. Intellectual disabilities were also associated with reports of negative attitudes from medical professionals, highlighting widespread communication and support inadequacies.

CONCLUSIONS

Improving reproductive healthcare for women with disabilities in Lithuania and globally requires educating medical professionals on the human rights-based model of disability and accessibility. Implementing individual accommodations in healthcare is essential and should involve medical staff, administrators, and policymakers. Ensuring access to sex education for women with disabilities and addressing societal stereotypes about their sexuality and motherhood are also vital. Further research with larger sample sizes is needed to evaluate and enhance the accessibility and quality of reproductive healthcare services for women with disabilities.