DISABLED WOMEN AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE SERVICES

Disabled women as well as those without disability have the right to receive reproductive health care services. Since women with mobility impairment face diverse obstacles in receiving reproductive health care, reviewing these services received by them is of grate importance. Determining the reproductive health care services received by women with mobility impairment during disability period, we conducted a descriptive study in which questionnaires were used to collect the data, and the investigation was done on 241 handicapped women, ranged in age from 15-49 and all, members of Iranian handicapped society. The results revealed that 2.9% of the sample group had received sexual counseling before and after marriage, and less than half of them had participated in the family planning care service with all elements (except weight measuring and first visit pelvic exam). All elements of prenatal care (except blood and urine tests) were done for less than 40% and for 35% of the participants prenatal recommendations (except nutrition and breast feeding) were considered, Furthermore, all periodical prenatal care (except dentist visit) were done for about 60% -75% of disabled women and those who had Pap smear tests, breast self exam instructions, and breast physical exam by health staff were respectively 14%, 4.6% and 6.2%, besides, mammography was done for nobody in the group of more than 40 years old. Overall, according to the results it is estimated that only a small percentage of women with mobility impairment received reproductive health care. Therefore, further studies to explore obstacles faced by disabled women are recommended. Also it is suggested that available necessary services for cited citizens to be provided.