Financial Barriers Limiting Healthcare Access among Women Living with Disabilities in Kenya

This study investigated the financial difficulties that could adversely affect the healthcare access among women living with physical disabilities in Kenya. It was grounded in the hypothesis that these women encounter diverse financial challenges directly or indirectly associated with their physical disability status that undermine their healthcare service access. Employing a survey research design, data were collected via questionnaires from a convenience sample of 41 women with physical disabilities, recruited across 13 counties during a community program enrollment initiative. Descriptive statistics revealed a mean participant age of 33.98 years (SD = 11.97). Employment status was distributed as follows: 17.1% employed, 26.8% self-employed, and 56.1% unemployed. Mobility dependence on wheelchairs was reported by 63.4% of participants, while 85.4% relied on other people for household activities. Thematic analysis of 48 theme entries derived from participants' statements revealed prominent financial barriers, including difficulties in navigating income and monetary access (67%), challenges in money management (44%), high costs of assistive devices (40%), restricted financial access as a barrier to entrepreneurship (29%), and spillover effects of financial constraints on transport and mobility (25%). These findings illuminate the Social Model of Disability and Intersectionality Theory, highlighting how socioeconomic disadvantages intersect with gender and disability to exacerbate health vulnerabilities among this population.