Accessing SRHR information and services in Kenya’s Deaf Community

Paul Kariuki sits in a busy outpatient clinic with a pen, ready to turn the doctor’s words into meaning. He lost his hearing over time and has learned to manage in a world not made for him. Especially around sexual and reproductive health. “Since I do not know sign language well, I ask them to write on paper what they say so I stay informed,” Paul explains.

His experience is common. For many deaf and hard-of-hearing Kenyans, getting SRHR (sexual and reproductive health and rights) information and care is hard. They face communication gaps, stigma, and little institutional support.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that about 1.3 billion people live with a significant disability. That is roughly 16 percent of the global population. Many of these people are deaf or hard-of-hearing. They often face health inequalities and have trouble accessing SRHR. WHO finds that health systems often fail to serve people with disabilities with dignity.

Deaf and hard-of-hearing Kenyans may struggle to find sign language interpreters. They also find it hard to find health information in formats they can follow. Even when interpreters come, the quality can be low and privacy can be at risk. This is especially true during sensitive SRHR visits. Talks with Paul and disability-rights advocates show several clear themes:

Limited access to information

Paul depends on friends and the internet for SRHR information. He never had structured sexual health education in Kenyan Sign Language (KSL). “Being hearing-challenged, I adapted so I did not have to rely on KSL services,” he says.

At clinics, Paul often has to interpret for himself. He explains symptoms and the clinician writes back. It works, but it is not ideal. He also says, “There is stigma that I can only have a deaf partner.” He trusts only a few clinician friends who know how to communicate with him.

Misinformation and myths

When young, Paul heard dangerous myths. Myths such as that HIV spread by sneezing, or by touching the skin of someone living with HIV. “It made me avoid buying anything from a shopkeeper rumored to be HIV positive,” he says. “Some believed HIV could spread by a sneeze, touching sores or sharing clothes and utensils. People treated it like a death sentence,” Paul notes.

These false beliefs kept him away from shops and people he feared might be “infected.” Over time he learned the truth, but not everyone gets correct information. There is definitely a need for timely and accessible information. Paul says deaf and hard-of-hearing people should get the same information others receive. He points to the recent monkeypox outbreak. Many deaf and hard-of-hearing people missed health messages because they were not in sign language.

Voices from advocacy

Isaac Rogito of the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) in Nakuru agrees with Paul.

He says public events sometimes bring sign language interpreters. Many of those interpreters are not fluent, so communication stays shallow. “Some are learning. Interpretation is not widely available,” Isaac says. He adds that some deaf and hard-of-hearing people use local or personal signs, not formal KSL. That makes interpretation harder. “Conversations need privacy. Some topics need private talk,” he says. Isaac calls for permanent solutions. “More KSL trainers, better sign language education, or adding KSL to school lessons,” he suggests. He believes this would build inclusion in health and across society. Kenya’s situation reflects global trends. 

A study in Ghana (Reproductive Health) interviewed deaf and hard-of-hearing women aged 15–49. They knew about SRH services like family planning and antenatal care. Yet they faced many barriers. These included cost, poor communication, stigma from health workers, and few accessible materials.

A paper in the International Journal for Equity in Health calls for a major change. It says the global approach to sexual health for people with disabilities needs rethinking. It also notes that persons with disabilities make up about 16 percent of the world. Yet they remain mostly invisible in SRHR programs.

Why this matters

Excluding deaf and hard-of-hearing people from SRHR is more than a communication problem; it is an equity issue. Governments should expand interpretation services. They should train more KSL interpreters and place them in health facilities for sensitive visits.

For Paul and many others, these are not abstract issues. They concern dignity, control, and health. “Timely information for the deaf community helps protect them,” Paul says.

If Kenya wants to “leave no one behind,” as the Sustainable Development Goals say, it must act. SRHR inclusion for deaf and hard-of-hearing people must move from policy into practice. 

HIV in focus

This news story has been published as part of our HIV in focus news network. This is a network of writers and journalists from focus countries, dedicated to delivering news on HIV and sexual health. The network aims to amplify the voices of communities most affected by HIV and share the stories that matter to them.

About the writer 

Winnie Onyando is a Kenyan journalist working with one of the leading media organization in Kenya and is known for her compelling human-interest storytelling and in-depth coverage of climate change, health, parenting, and social issues. She is passionate about amplifying the voices of women, children, and marginalised communities and has produced impactful features on misinformation, family dynamics, and community well-being. Winnie also holds an MA in Mass Communication. Her work aims to inform, empower, and spark meaningful conversations in society.