“We Don’t See a Future in Them” Barriers to Accessing Sexual and Reproductive Health Information and Services among Young People with Disabilities in Kyotera Border District.

Lodrick Odo, Makerere University
Patricia Ndugga, Makerere University, Department of Population Studies, College of Business and Management Sciences
Betty Kwagala, Makerere University

Young people with disabilities (YPWD) face numerous challenges in accessing sexual and reproductive health (SRH) information and services, including stigma and discrimination related to their disability. Consequently, many YPWDs have an unmet need for SRH services. We conducted a qualitative study among 12 YPWDs and 7 key Informants to explore the barriers YPWDs experience in accessing sexual and reproductive health information and services in Kyotera border district known for high rates of early sexual debut Analysis revealed that YPWDs who don’t live with their biological parents and those residing in hard-to-reach areas such as islands are excluded from SRH education and advice since they are considered asexual and not eligible for marriage. Communication is a challenge for persons with speech and hearing impairments in the absence of sign language experts at health facilities. The multifaceted nature of these challenges underscores the urgency for interventions to effectively dismantle these barriers.