Equal Opportunities for Care in Obstetrics - A Quantitative Survey of Accessibility in Obstetric Departments in Austria

Background: In everyday life women with disabilities are facing different challenges and discriminatory aspects. Especially the issue of pregnancy and motherhood is still critically discussed and subject to taboo. The aim of the present study is to survey the extent of structural measures on the one hand and additional specific service offers on the other hand that have been implemented in order to ensure accessibility and equitable care for women with disabilities in the obstetric departments in Austria. Method: Data were collected by a self-developed non-standardised questionnaire, evaluating existing or implemented structural measures and specific service offerings that ensure accessibility. Data collection and analysis were performed using the online survey application "LimeSurvey" and SPSS, respectively. Results: The survey data reveal that the obstetric departments largely conform to the requirements of the different building regulations. Additional measures or adaptations of the inventory for women with mobility or sensory impairments are at the discretion of the institution and thus are hardly implemented. Conclusions: Despite the small sample size it becomes obvious that the obstetric departments in Austria lack in many regards structures that ensure accessibility to care, nursing, counselling and support for women with sensory impairments or limited mobility.