Reproductive Health Service Utilization and Associated Factors Among Womens With Disabilities in Gedeo Zone, Southern Ethiopia: Cross-Sectional Study

Why It Matters

The findings expose a critical gap in SRH service delivery for disabled women, highlighting inequities that can exacerbate health disparities and undermine reproductive rights in low‑resource settings.

Key Takeaways

• Only 15.7% of disabled women used reproductive health services last year
• Married women 80% more likely to access services than unmarried
• Prior pregnancy raises service use sevenfold; abortion history raises it eightfold
• Physical impairment is the most common disability, affecting 62% of participants
• 94.5% not using family‑planning methods despite 43% having been pregnant

Pulse Analysis

Globally, more than a billion people live with disabilities, yet their sexual and reproductive health (SRH) needs remain largely invisible in policy discussions. In sub‑Saharan Africa, where 80% of disabled youth reside, cultural stigma and limited infrastructure often block access to essential services. Ethiopia, home to an estimated 15 million disabled individuals, reflects these challenges; rural areas like the Gedeo Zone lack specialized clinics and trained providers, creating a systemic barrier for women seeking contraception, prenatal care, or safe abortion services.

The Gedeo Zone study reveals stark utilization gaps: just 15.7% of women with disabilities accessed SRH services in the preceding year, and a staggering 94.5% were not using any family‑planning method despite nearly half having experienced pregnancy. Logistic regression identified marital status, prior pregnancy, and abortion history as strong predictors, suggesting that personal experience with childbearing drives demand for care. However, the low overall uptake underscores broader obstacles—illiteracy, rural residence, and the predominance of physical impairments—that limit awareness and mobility. These findings align with broader research showing that disabled women face higher rates of intimate partner violence and poorer health outcomes, amplifying the urgency for inclusive health strategies.

Addressing this disparity requires multi‑layered interventions. Policymakers should integrate disability‑sensitive protocols into existing SRH programs, train community health workers on accessible communication, and deploy mobile clinics to reach remote villages. Educational campaigns must be tailored to low‑literacy audiences, leveraging visual aids and local languages. Moreover, strengthening legal frameworks that protect reproductive rights for disabled persons can foster accountability. By closing the service gap, Ethiopia can advance its commitments to the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those targeting gender equality and universal health coverage, while setting a precedent for other low‑income nations confronting similar challenges.