Women's perspectives of mistreatment during childbirth at health facilities in Ghana

Findings From a Qualitative Study

Dados Bibliográficos

ID3972408
AutoresErnest T Maya (Lecturer, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana), Ernest Maya (0000-0001-6050-6837, University of Ghana), Kwame Adu-Bonsaffoh (0000-0002-3741-6646, Lecturer, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana., autor correspondente), Phyllis Dako-Gyeke (Senior Lecturer, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana), Phyllis Dako‐Gyeke (0000-0002-4632-1833, University of Ghana), Caroline Badzi (PhD candidate, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana), Caroline Dinam Badzi (0000-0002-3966-1282, University of Ghana), Joshua P Vogel (0000-0002-3214-7096, World Health Organization), Meghan A Bohren (0000-0002-4179-4682, World Health Organization), Richard Adanu (0000-0001-8053-6793, Professor and Dean, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana)
Ano2018
Volume26
Fascículo53
Páginas70-87
Data de publicação2018-08-27
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessNão
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoReproductive Health Matters (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0968-8080 • E-ISSN: 1460-9576
EditoraInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/09688080.2018.1502020
PMID30152268
OpenAlexW2888950510
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas13
Referências citadas25

Mistreatment of women during childbirth at health facilities violates their human rights and autonomy and may be associated with preventable maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity. In this paper, we explore women's perspectives on mistreatment during facility-based childbirth as part of a bigger World Health Organization (WHO) multi-country study for developing consensus definitions, and validating indicators and tools for measuring the burden of the phenomenon. Focus group discussions (FGDs) and in-depth interviews (IDIs) were used to explore experiences of mistreatment from women who have ever given birth in a health facility in Koforidua and Nsawam, Ghana. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and thematic analysis conducted. A total of 39 IDIs and 10 FGDs involving 110 women in total were conducted. The major types of mistreatment identified were: verbal abuse (shouting, insults, and derogatory remarks), physical abuse (pinching, slapping) and abandonment and lack of support. Mistreatment was commonly experienced during the second stage of labour, especially amongst adolescents. Inability to push well during the second stage, disobedience to instructions from birth attendants, and not bringing prescribed items for childbirth (mama kit) often preceded mistreatment. Most women indicated that slapping and pinching were acceptable means to "correct" disobedient behaviours and encourage pushing. Women may avoid giving birth in health facilities in the future because of their own experiences of mistreatment, or hearing about another woman's experience of mistreatment. Consensus definitions, validated indicators and tools for measuring mistreatment are needed to measure prevalence and identify drivers and potential entry points to minimise the phenomenon and improve respectful care during childbirth

Autonomy · Childbirth · Environmental health · Focus group · Health facility · Poison control · Political science · Population · Pregnancy · Qualitative research · Sociology · Suicide prevention · Thematic analysis · Verbal abuse · Global Maternal and Child Health · Maternal and fetal healthcare · Maternal and Perinatal Health Interventions · Medicine · Nursing · Psychology