Prevalence of disrespect and abuse during childbirth and its related factors in women hospitalized in the postpartum ward

Abstract

Background: Disrespect and abuse during health care is an emerging concept without a common and agreed definition that has not been sufficiently studied in Iran. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the prevalence of disrespect and abuse during childbirth and its related factors in women hospitalized in the postpartum ward. Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was performed on postpartum women admitted to Ghods Hospital, Paveh, who met the inclusion criteria from April to September 2021. Data collection tools included a demographic and obstetric characteristic questionnaire and a checklist of disrespect and abuse during childbirth, which were completed immediately before discharge by 276 participants who were selected by available sampling. The delivery provider also completed the demographic characteristic questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 21 and univariate and multivariate linear regression tests. P <0.05 was considered significant. Results: The results showed that all participants had experienced at least one type of abusive care, and the most common forms were non-consented care (100%) and neglect/abandonment (92.4%). Among the studied variables, only drug interventions during childbirth had a role in predicting disrespect and abuse during childbirth (P < 0.03). Conclusion: Due to the high level of disrespect and abuse during childbirth, it seems necessary to educate staff about respectful maternity care and increase supervision of respect for maternal rights, and plan to reduce midwifery interventions.

Keywords

• abuse
• childbirth
• disrespect