- Disrespectful maternity care and abuse during childbirth: exploring perceptions and experiences of women delivered at a tertiary hospital in Abakaliki, Nigeria.

Abstract

Background: An important but little understood component of poor care that women receive during antenatal care and childbirth is disrespect and abuse perpetuated by health workers. Fear of experiencing disrespect and abuse has negative influence on women’s decision to seek care at health facility during pregnancy, labour and delivery. The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence, pattern and predictors of disrespect and abuse during labour and delivery.

Methods: This is a questionnaire-based cross-sectional study conducted from February 1, 2019 to July 31, 2019 among postnatal women delivered at Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22.

Results: The prevalence of disrespectful maternity care and abuse was 47.6%. The forms of disrespect and abuse experienced by the participants were detention in the health facility (40.2%), physical abuse (34.1%), non-dignified care (37.2%), non-consented care (20.1%), abandonment of care (18.9%), non-confidential care (25%) and discriminatory care (15.2%). Lack of companionship during delivery (AOR: 7.01, 95%CI: 1.27-4.49; p = 0.007), unbooked status (AOR: 2.37, 95%Cl: 0.31 - 0.92; p = 0.01) and rural residence (AOR = 4.52 95% CI: 2.33-8.75, P<0.0001) were factors associated with disrespect and abuse during childbirth.

Conclusion: Disrespectful maternity care and abuse during childbirth among women seeking maternity care is still prevalent (47.6%) in our hospital. Educating health workers on the importance of respectful maternity care would ensure acceptable, quality and dignified care for all women seeking maternity care in our facility.