Accessibility of Reproductive Healthcare Services for Persons with Disabilities in Plateau State: Implications for Social Inclusion

FAGBEMI OLUSEGUN OLUJIDE
Federal University of Education, Pankshin
Abstract

Anchored on the Social Model of Disability and Intersectionality Framework, the study investigated the accessibility of reproductive health service delivery for Persons with Disability (PWDs) in Plateau State. Limited empirical evidence exists about the barriers faced by PWDs and how it affects their social engagement in Plateau State. A descriptive cross sectional design with 385 PWDs was involved and the sampling was multi-stage, involving three senatorial districts. The Accessibility and Social Inclusion Survey Questionnaire (Cronbach's α = 0.76) was used to collect data, which were analysed descriptively and inferentially at 0.05 level of significance. Results showed that, while information access was high (mean=3.72), the overall accessibility was low (mean=2.68), with the physical (mean=2.43), attitudinal (mean=2.42), financial (mean=2.41), and procedural (mean=2.43) domains being severely below threshold. Barriers were extremely high (weighted mean=3.09), and all barriers, except for knowledge, were higher (mean = 3.00). There was a moderately strong positive correlation between accessibility and social inclusion (r=0.662, p<.002), accounting for 43.8% of the variance. There was a significant difference between disability type and accessibility scores [F(5,379)=5.503, p=.002, η²=.07] but no significant difference was found between the genders [t(385)=0.474, p=.634]. The study points to a persistent lack of access to reproductive care which is especially problematic for social inclusion, as emphasized by the Social Model, and which also reflects the theory of Intersectionality. The recommendations are infrastructure restructuring, compulsory provider training, disability-based protocols, and financial subsidy schemes to promote PWDs' health equity and social justice.

Keywords Accessibility, reproductive healthcare, persons with disabilities, barriers, social inclusion

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Publication Details

Journal: African Journal of Peace & Social Inclusion.

Volume: 1, Issue: 3

Published: 2026/09/23

How to Cite
FAGBEMI OLUSEGUN OLUJIDE
Accessibility of Reproductive Healthcare Services for Persons with Disabilities in Plateau State: Implications for Social Inclusion