DISRESPECT AND ABUSE DURING CHILDBIRTH OF SELF-REPORTED AND OBSERVED
PREVALENCE AT A UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL IN EASTERN ETHIOPIA: FACILITY-BASED
MIXED-METHOD
Abstract
ABSTRACT Introduction: The disrespect and abuse of women during
maternity care are problems that have been hidden by something that
truth about a situation or behind doors that do not open but
significantly impact women’s willingness to seek life-saving care in
facilities. Disrespect and abuse are a factor that significantly impacts
women’s willingness to seek care in developing countries. Therefore,
this aimed to assess the levels and determinants of disrespect and abuse
during childbearing women in Eastern Ethiopia. Methods: A mixed-method
cross-sectional study was conducted in Eastern Ethiopia. Data were
collected from women by administered questionnaires upon discharge and
were triangulated with direct observation of provider-woman interaction.
P-values of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Result: A total of 592 questionnaires were administered to postnatal
women with a response rate was 99% and supplemented with direct
observation of 82 episodes of provider-woman interaction. Prevalence of
28.0% (95% CI, 24.45-31.85) had faced disrespect and abuse. The common
types of disrespect and abuse were neglect 101(17.06%), followed by
non-dignified care 100(16.89%). Our observation revealed that 24(30%)
of the provider-woman interactions had disrespect and abuse. Disrespect
and abuse were common among rural residence [AOR=3.32, 95% CI 1.96-
5.64] and having spontaneous vaginal delivery [AOR, 2.03; 95% CI,
1.34-3.00; p=0.001] were associated factors with disrespect and abuse.
Conclusion: Disrespect and abuse were reported by more than one in four
women during childbirth. Rural residents and women who delivered
vaginally reported being abused twice compared to their counterparts.