Forms of Support and Experiencing Maltreatment and Disrespect During Childbirth at a Health Facility: A Self-Reported Cross-Sectional Study in Ghana

Abstract

One method to enhance maternal health outcomes in underdeveloped nations is to help women and encourage them to give birth in medical facilities (skilled delivery). Yet, impediments to facility birth have reportedly included fear of abuse and contempt during labour and delivery. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the self-reported experiences of postnatal women and the types of abuse and disrespect they encountered during delivery. One hundred and thirteen (313) women were chosen at random from three healthcare facilities in the Greater Accra area for a cross-sectional study. STATA 15 was used to analyze the data. According to the study, more than half of the postnatal women (54.3%) were urged to have support people present during labour and delivery. Approximately 75.7% said they had been mistreated in some way, with physical violence accounting for 19.8% and undignified care for 9.3%. About 7.7% (n  =  24) of the women were detained or confined against their will. The study’s findings indicate that labour-related abuse and disrespect are common. Without improving the birthing experience for women, expanding medical facilities might not result in the skilled or facility-based deliveries that are intended. The quality of maternal health care should be monitored, and hospitals should train their midwives in providing excellent patient care (customer care).