ACCESS
Background
Persons with Disabilities have historically experienced poorer health outcomes due to lifelong social exclusion and marginalization. The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) 2006 articulates that Persons with Disabilities should have the same range, quality and standard of health care as people without disability including sexual and reproductive health (SRH). However, evidences suggest the SRH rights of Persons with Disabilities have been denied. Despite being sexually active they may have less access to SRH information and services such as knowledge about reproductive anatomy, family planning, and sexually transmitted infections. Within the health system, Persons with Disabilities may be mistreated by health care providers for wanting to become a parent or becoming pregnant. Social stigmatization over such issues may force them into sterilization and abortion. Further, they may encounter physical and emotional violence and those with intellectual impairments face the additional risk of sexual violence. The marginalization and exclusion of Persons with Disabilities may intensify during crisis increasing episodes of sexual violence, domestic abuse and physical assault. Nepal’s access to health care including SRH services deteriorated during the COVID-19 lockdown. In Nepal, there are limited evidence on the availability and accessibility of SRH services by Persons with Disability. The issue itself is also negligibly discussed in the public domain.
Objective
To conduct a scoping review to explore barriers and facilitators encountered by persons with disability while accessing sexual and reproductive health services in Nepal
Methods
We reviewed published government policies on reproductive health and disability, searched PubMed database and used google scholar search engine to find literature published between 2011 to 2021 that reported on barriers and facilitators to sexual and reproductive health rights for persons with disability in Nepal.
Associated Team Members
Sampurna Kakchapati
Research Manager: Survey, Evaluation and ImpactDr. Sampurna Kakchapati is an experienced public health professional and researcher with a PhD in Research Methodology. He brings over 15 years of extensive expertise in data science, statistics, quantitative research, and monitoring and evaluation. Recognized as a leading expert in the field, Dr. Kakchapati has demonstrated his proficiency by successfully conducting and overseeing various national and international research projects and surveys. Dr. Kakchapati holds proficiency in data analysis using statistical packages such as R program and SPSS. His professional [...]
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Saugat Pratap KC
Knowledge Management OfficerMr. Saugat Pratap KC is a professional committed to improving healthcare in Nepal through research and knowledge management. With over five years of hands-on experience, Saugat possesses profound understanding of a range of critical health issues, including Family Planning, Climate change, Non-communicable diseases, Maternal and child Health, Health financing and health system strengthening. After completing his Bachelor’s degree in International Relations and Development from Thailand, Mr. KC pursued his Master’s in Public Health from Bangladesh’s James P. Grant School of [...]
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Sushil Chandra Baral
Managing DirectorDr. Sushil Chandra Baral is an experienced health and development expert with over 25 years of experience in research and development. Specializing in health systems, health policy, and planning at both national and international levels, Dr. Baral has played a pivotal role in communicable disease control, specifically Tuberculosis. He serves as a Managing Director at HERD International. In the past, he worked as a Strategic Advisor for the Nepal Health Sector Support Programme demonstrating expertise in program-based operational research and [...]
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