Sexual Reproductive Health Patterns among Cambodian Women with Functional Difficulties

Pravitasari Pravitasari, Ministry of Population and Family Development / National Population and Family Planning Board in Lampung
Riance Maria Sinaga, Gadjah Mada University
Fadiah Putri, The University of Melbourne

Cambodia is the only country in Southeast Asia that has incorporated the Washington Group Short Set on Functioning in its Demographic and Health Survey (DHS), offering a unique opportunity to examine the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) experiences of women with functional difficulties. This study analyzes data from the 2021–2022 Cambodia DHS using bivariate and logistic regression methods to explore SRH patterns among women with functional difficulties. Results show that 16.53% of respondents reported at least one functional difficulty. Women with functional difficulties demonstrated slightly greater knowledge of contraceptive methods and were significantly more likely to use modern contraceptives compared to women without difficulties. However, they also had significantly higher odds of experiencing an unmet need for contraception and encountering barriers to healthcare access. These findings highlight persistent inequities and underscore the urgency of developing inclusive policies that promote equitable access, quality, and autonomy in SRH services for women with disabilities.

Keywords: Inequality, Disadvantage and Discrimination

See paper.

  Presented in Session 169. Improving Contraceptive Uptake: Long-Standing Approaches and New Strategies