Help-seeking after domestic violence among women with disabilities in Uganda: UDHS evidence

Background

Women with disabilities experience disproportionately high exposure to domestic violence and often encounter multiple barriers to seeking help. However, population-level evidence on help-seeking 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.

Methods

We analysed data from 2006, 2011, and 2016 Uganda Demographic and Health Surveys. Disability status was determined using the 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.

Results

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.

Conclusions

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.

Key messages

• Domestic violence remains highly prevalent among women with disabilities in Uganda, while help-seeking has declined over time.

• Economic participation and age-appropriate support services are critical enablers of help-seeking among women with disabilities.