Knowledge and opinions of nurses and midwives on reproductive health of disabled women

Objective: The research was carried out to determine the knowledge and opinions of nurses and midwives about the reproductive health of disabled women. Material and Methods: The research was carried out analytically and cross-sectionally with 100 nurses and 148 midwives working in the Gynecology and Obstetrics Hospital of Başakşehir Çam and Sakura City Hospital between January 25 and February 8, 2022. Research data were collected by the researcher with a questionnaire prepared according to the literature. The data analysis obtained in the study was analyzed using the SPSS 26.0 (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) program. Descriptive statistics and chi-square test were used in the evaluation of the data. Results: Most of the nurses and midwives in the study did not have a disabled relative and did not care for the disabled woman. Most of the nurses and midwives stated that they wanted to receive training on reproductive health of disabled women and more on communication skills. When the information of nurses and midwives on reproductive health of disabled women was examined, it was seen that most of the participants gave the wrong answer that disabled women are more likely to have abortions and unplanned pregnancies. However, it was determined that most of the participants gave the correct answer about the high-risk pregnancies and births of disabled women. In the study, it was seen that more than half of the nurses and midwives gave the correct answer to the information that disabled women experience more gynecological problems than non-disabled women. In the views of nurses and midwives on the reproductive health of disabled women, it was seen that most of the participants answered that they do not agree that disabled women are asexual. In addition, most of the participants stated that they did not agree that women with disabilities should not get pregnant. In addition to these, it was seen that the number of those who gave the answer that I agree with the importance of giving importance to the decision of birth method of disabled women was high. It was seen that there was no difference between the age, occupation and caregiving status of the disabled women and the knowledge of the reproductive health of the disabled women. It was seen that the rate of giving the correct answer to the information questions of the participants who wanted to receive training on reproductive health of disabled women was higher. It was determined that there was no difference between the age of the participants and the views of disabled women on reproductive health. It was determined that the views of nurses and midwives who do not care for disabled women and who want to receive training on the reproductive health of disabled women are supportive and positive for the reproductive health of disabled women. Conclusion: In the light of the data obtained as a result of the research, it was determined that the nurses and midwives had sufficient knowledge of the reproductive health of women with disabilities. It was determined that the rate of giving the correct answer to the information questions of the participants who want to receive training on the reproductive health of disabled women and the rate of giving the correct answer to the opinion questions in the direction of supporting disabled women were higher.