Disrespect and Abuse During Childbirth and Its Determinants among Women Delivering in Healthcare Facilities

Abstract

Background: Providing respectful maternity care can enhance the maternal and child health outcomes by fostering the trust and positive relationships between healthcare providers and mothers. The objective of this study was to assess the status of disrespect and abuse during childbirth and its determinants among women delivering in healthcare facilities and its determinants in Pokhara, Nepal.
Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 290 women in Pokhara Metropolitan, Nepal. Respondents were enrolled using a simple random sampling approach. A semi-structured questionnaire was developed based on Bowser and Hill’s seven domains of disrespect and abuse during childbirth. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.
Results: Among the respondents, 69.0% delivered in government hospitals. Complications for the baby during labor were reported by 5.2% of women. 62.4% of the respondents reported that they experienced at least one form of disrespect and abuse during childbirth at the hospital. Among women who experienced disrespect and abuse, the most prevalent category was non-consented care (49.7%), followed by physical abuse (35.2%). No variables were significantly associated with disrespect and abuse during childbirth in the bivariate and multivariate analyses.
Conclusions: The status of disrespect and abuse during childbirth was high. These findings highlight the need for systemic improvements within maternity care services, including strengthened provider accountability and promotion of respectful maternity care practices across all health facilities.
Keywords: Disrespect and abuse; maternal health; Nepal; respectful maternity care.