Access to and utilisation of maternal health care services: interrogating discrimination against women living with physical disabilities in Kawempe Division, Kampala

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to interrogate the multiple layers of discrimination against women living with physical disabilities in their access to and utilisation of maternal healthcare services in Kawempe Division, Kampala District, Uganda. My research reflects the need for advocating for gender equity and social justice in maternal health service delivery by identifying not only the obstacles that constrain women living with disabilities from accessing and utilising maternal health care, but also lists key recommendations necessary for policy reform. Overall, the study contributes towards conceptualising complex forms of discrimination, that is, the ways in which gender, sexuality and disability intersect to influence discrimination against women as guided by the theory of intersectionality. The study employed a qualitative case study research design as the most appropriate given it’s descriptive and explanatory nature, providing answers to “why” and “how” types of questions, and providing me with an opportunity of purposively collecting data using in-depth interviews, Key Informant Interviews and Focus Group Discussions. To this end, the results illustrate the experiences of women living with physical disabilities and how they cope against multiple forms of discrimination in their quest for access to and utilisation of maternal health service. In conclusion, my research findings propose structural and institutional recommendations that can inform policy makers and implementers of policy in Kawempe division.