Obstetric violence and associated factors among women during facility based childbirth at Gedeo Zone, South Ethiopia

Abstract

Introduction Obstetric violence is a specific form of violence against women that violates their human rights. Conducted by obstetric care providers regarding the body and reproductive processes of the woman, being characterized by dehumanized assistance, abuse of interventionist actions, medicalization, and reversion of the process from natural to pathological. Objective To assess the magnitude of obstetric violence and associated factors among women during childbirth in Gedeo Zone, South Ethiopia. Method Community based cross-sectional study was conducted among randomly selected 661 mothers in Gedeo Zone, South Ethiopia, from May 1 to May 30 2020. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to get a total of 661 mothers from their kebeles. Data was collected by using face-to--to-face interview with a structured questionnaire and in-depth interview was also employed. Data entry and analysis was done by Epi data version 3.1 and SPSS 23.0 statistical software. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression models were used to determine the important predictors of obstetric violence. Association between outcome and independent variables was presented by adjusted odds ratio with 95% CI. Results From the total of 661 mothers, about 79.7% (527) of mothers experienced obstetric violence with 95% CI (76.9–82.8). educational status (AOR = 2.2573, 95%CI = 1.44,3.54), ANC utilization (AOR = 2.365, 95%CI = 1.62–3.21), duration of stay (AOR = 0.5367,95%CI = 0.28,0.86)), and facing complication during labor and delivery (AOR = 3.1382, 95%CI = 2.34,5.17) were the major factors associated with obstetric violence. Conclusion The magnitude of obstetric violence was high. Non dignified care and non-consented care was the most common form of obstetric violence which may lead a woman to choose for home delivery instead of health facility care, this in turn leads to a great increase in maternal morbidity and mortality as supported by qualitative approach of the study.

Impacts of disrespectful care and abusive care practices in maternity units and potential interventions to improve the quality of care in low‐ and middle‐income countries: A narrative review

“…In general, facing labor complications was significantly associated with D&A care 28 . All these poor obstetric outcomes and patients' experiences could have indirectly led to increased maternal morbidity and mortality by promoting home deliveries rather than institutional delivery 29 …”

Impact of disrespectful maternity care on childbirth complications: a multicentre cross-sectional study in Ethiopia

“…The current study revealed that 63% of mothers experienced physical or verbal abuse, 81.8% felt discomfort during care, and 54% received undignified care. In comparison, a study performed in another region indicated that 40.5% of women received non-dignified care, 22.2% reported abuses, and 30.1% reported inappropriate cultural consideration [ 20 ].…”

“…In a 2017 study conducted across four regions of Ethiopia in various healthcare facilities, it was found that 36% of women had experienced at least one form of mistreatment during childbirth [ 19 ]. Nevertheless, recent reports have indicated that the prevalence of obstetric violence among Ethiopian mothers spans from 76.1 to 98.9% [ 20 ].…”

Prevalence of workplace violence in Chinese obstetric nurses under the new situation and its correlation with violence prevention knowledge-attitude-practice and climate perception: a cross-sectional study

“…When the tolerance level of the mother or her family exceeds the tolerance level, they often release their negative emotions on the nurses, such as loud reprimands and roars (particularly the nurses involved in obstetric violence), leading to the occurrence of WPV. Research shows that obstetric violence is associated with nurse burnout, bonuses, and a lack of educational opportunities [ 31 ]. Managers can take steps to reduce and prevent obstetric workplace violence.…”