Societal Perceptions and Attitudes towards Disability, Sexuality and Pregnancy of Disabled Women from Kibra Sub County, Nairobi
| dc.contributor.author | Brezhnev Henry Otieno | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2024-12-03T05:33:27Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2024-12-03T05:33:27Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2024-12-03 | |
| dc.description.abstract | Despite the existence of robust global and national frameworks, such as the Sustainable Development Goals, Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and Kenya Persons with Disabilities Act, which promote disability inclusion, disabled women in Kenya still face prejudice and stigma in society. The purpose of this study was to examine societal attitudes and perceptions toward the disability, sexuality, pregnancy, and childbirth of disabled women in Kibra, Nairobi. The study utilized the critical disability theory and the Utu conceptualization of disability to understand how attitudes and perceptions contribute to the (de)stigmatization of disabled women. A convergent parallel mixed method design was employed in the study, and fourteen disabled women were interviewed using an interview guide. A perception questionnaire and an Attitude Towards Disabled Persons (ADTP) tool were also administered to 420 non-disabled women and men and 145 healthcare staff. The study findings cited birth complications (37.1%) and genetic factors (40.2%) as the most common cause of impairment. The majority of respondents believed that disabled women have normal sexual organs and feelings, that they can engage in sexual relationships, that they can become pregnant, and that their pregnancy is not unusual. The findings also show that to overcome negative societal stigma and prejudices, disabled women adopt aggressive behavior, avoidance, self-stigmatization, and solidarity with one another. Nondisabled women and men had a combined mean ATDP score of 117.55 (SD = 24.21), with scores ranging from 26 to 174. The average ATDP scores for females (118.76) and males (116.36) were higher than the suggested threshold values of 110 and 113, respectively, indicating a high positive attitude toward disabled people. Except for gender and age group (p > 0.05), all sociodemographic characteristics for non-disabled women and men were statistically significant for positive attitudes toward disabled women. The mean ATDP score for healthcare workers was 118.77 (SD = 19.25), with the highest and lowest values being 54 and 165, respectively. Only the health facility type (F (3, 141) = [3.517], p = 0.017) was statistically significant for healthcare workers attitudes. The mean ATDP differed significantly between public and private healthcare facilities (p = 0.017, 95% confidence interval = [-38.38, -2.66]). Eliminating beliefs, attitudes, and actions that perpetuate and sustain prejudice and stigma against disabled women is essential to enhancing their agency, social standing, dignity, and human rights. This is possible through applying Utu principles and values like interconnectedness, interdependence, tolerance, fairness, solidarity, respect, compassion, and self-sacrifice. | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://repository.tangaza.ac.ke/handle/123456789/1455 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | Tangaza University | |
| dc.title | Societal Perceptions and Attitudes towards Disability, Sexuality and Pregnancy of Disabled Women from Kibra Sub County, Nairobi | |
| dc.type | Thesis |