FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH SUPPORT PROVIDED TO WOMEN DURING CHILDBIRTH BY COMPANIONS IN PUBLIC MATERNITY HOSPITALS

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective: to identify the factors associated with providing emotional, physical, informational and intermediation support for companions during childbirth. Method: this is a cross-sectional study, whose sample consisted of 861 companions from public maternity hospitals in Florianópolis, SC. Data collection was carried out from March/2015 to May/2016, using a questionnaire as a data collection instrument. The data were analyzed by Binary Logistic Regression, using the Hierarchical Model of Multivariate Analysis. Results: the factors associated with emotional support were: having between 8 and 11 years of study (OR: 2.70 - CI: 1.19-6.13), participation in prenatal care (OR: 3.40 - CI: 1.63 -7.10), adequate environment (OR: 3.02 - CI: 1.35-6.75) and concern about pain (OR: 2.95 - CI: 1.33-6.50); in relation to physical support: having 12 or more years of study (OR: 1.68 - CI: 1.10-2.56); in relation to informational support: companion being a woman’s mother (OR: 2.96 - CI: 1.71 to 5.12) and having knowledge about the Companion Law (OR: 1.47 - CI: 1.04 - 2.08); in relation to intermediation support: maternity hospital characteristics. Having received guidance from health professionals and participating in prenatal care were also associated with informational and intermediation support. Providing support in all four dimensions in labor was associated with all outcomes. Conclusion: the companion’s participation in prenatal and labor, maternity hospital characteristics and professionals’ attitude were the factors associated with support in childbirth.