Help-seeking among women with disabilities who experience domestic violence in Uganda: evidence from UDHS 2006, 2011, and 2016

TL;DR

Women with disabilities in Uganda who face domestic violence are less likely to seek help, but being employed or older increases their chances of doing so.

Contribution

This study provides population-level evidence on help-seeking behavior among women with disabilities in a low-resource setting, identifying employment and age as key factors.

Findings

Only 43% of women with disabilities who experienced domestic violence in Uganda sought help in 2016.

Employed women with disabilities were six times more likely to seek help compared to unemployed women.

Younger women with disabilities were less likely to seek help than older women.

Abstract

Women with disabilities face heightened vulnerability to domestic violence and often encounter multiple barriers to seeking help. However, empirical evidence on help-seeking behaviour among this group in low-resource settings remains limited.

The study assessed factors associated with help-seeking among women with disabilities following exposure to domestic violence in Uganda using nationally representative data.

We analysed data from 2006, 2011, and 2016 Uganda Demographic and Health Surveys. Disability status was determined using Washington Group Short Set of Questions on functional difficulties. The sample comprised women with disabilities aged 15–49 who reported experiencing domestic violence. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression models estimated associations between socio-demographic characteristics and help-seeking, accounting for sampling weights, clustering, and stratification.

Help-seeking among women with disabilities remained low over time. In 2016, only about two in five women (43%) who experienced domestic violence reported seeking help. Employment and age were strongly associated with help-seeking. Employed women with disabilities were six times more likely to seek help than their unemployed peers (AOR = 6.68; 95% CI: 1.53–29.23). Younger women were less likely to seek help than older women. No significant associations were observed for education, wealth, or place of residence.

Employment and older age emerged as important enablers of help-seeking among women with disabilities who are experiencing domestic violence. Strengthening and implementing age-appropriate and inclusive labour policies that promote economic participation and awareness of support services for women with disabilities may enhance their access to domestic violence services in Uganda and similar low-resource settings.

Main findings: Women with disabilities in Uganda experience high levels of domestic violence but face persistent barriers to accessing support services, despite progressive national legal frameworks. Using nationally representative data, this study identifies employment and older age as a key factor enabling help-seeking among women with disabilities.Added knowledge: Evidence about help-seeking among women with disabilities in low-resource settings is limited. This study adds population-level insights by showing how demographic factors shape help-seeking over time.Global health impact for policy and action: The findings highlight the need for strengthened economic opportunities for women with disabilities and age-appropriate disability-inclusive domestic violence services. These insights can guide more equitable policy and programme responses in Uganda and similar settings.

Main findings: Women with disabilities in Uganda experience high levels of domestic violence but face persistent barriers to accessing support services, despite progressive national legal frameworks. Using nationally representative data, this study identifies employment and older age as a key factor enabling help-seeking among women with disabilities.

Added knowledge: Evidence about help-seeking among women with disabilities in low-resource settings is limited. This study adds population-level insights by showing how demographic factors shape help-seeking over time.

Global health impact for policy and action: The findings highlight the need for strengthened economic opportunities for women with disabilities and age-appropriate disability-inclusive domestic violence services. These insights can guide more equitable policy and programme responses in Uganda and similar settings.

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