The Provision of Maternal Health Service Accessibility for Women with Physical Disability: In the Case of EWDNA and Menelik Ⅱ Referral Hospital, Addis Ababa
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Date
2025-03-01
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This study explored the provision of maternal health services for WWPD, focusing on the
challenges they encounter at EWDNA and Menelik II Referral Hospital. It assessed the
experiences and perceptions of WWP, the quality of maternal healthcare, investigated the
perceptions of ANC, PNC, and labor ward staff, and identified associated factors affecting
maternal health service provision. Employing a qualitative research approach with a
phenomenological design, the study utilized purposive sampling to select ten WWPD and five
maternal healthcare providers. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, KII, and non
participant observation, and subsequently analyzed using thematic analysis. The study revealed
that the provision of maternal health services is hindered by infrastructural and facility-related
barriers, including environmental inaccessibility, cramped examination and waiting rooms, a
lack of accessible toilets, and the scarcity of mobility aids. Informational barriers, negatively
impacting interactions between WWPD and healthcare professionals, and gaps in understanding
disability rights were also identified. Furthermore, attitudinal barriers, including negative
comments, the absence of formally structured postpartum maternity education, a lack of
disability awareness among healthcare professionals, the absence of specialized equipment, and
gaps in understanding the specific needs of WWPD were identified as factors affecting service
provision. These findings suggest that healthcare professionals play a significant role in
maternal health service provision. Therefore, disability awareness training should be conducted
in conjunction with the provision of specialized equipment to address the specific needs of
WWPD and improve service provision.
Key words: Accessibility, Maternal health, Physical disability, Provision
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Keywords
Accessibility, Maternal health, Physical disability, Provision