Exploring Evidence for Disrespect and Abuse in Facility-Based Childbirth at a Tertiary Facility in Ghana

Background: Pregnant women’s decisions to seek maternity care are influenced by the poor quality of health care they receive, as well as their fears of being disrespected and abused during childbirth, which are perpetuated by health workers. Physical abuse, non-consented care, non-confidential care, non-dignified care, discrimination, abandonment, and detention in facilities are some of the most common manifestations of disrespect and abuse. Maternal mortality interventions have primarily targeted facility-based delivery, but the proportion of births in facilities has remained persistently low in many low-resource settings, despite the fact that facility-based birth rates have increased in recent years.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was therefore to explore women’s views on disrespect and abuse in childbirth in the Tamale Teaching Hospital.

Methods: Analytical cross-sectional design was used to collect data for this study, and a purposive sampling technique was used to select the respondents from the study area. A total of two hundred and forty respondents were surveyed for the purpose of gathering information for the study. The majority of the primary data was gathered through the use of administered questionnaires. The information gathered was analyzed with the help of Microsoft Word Excel.

Results: The study revealed that, 23 percent of respondents identified insulting as a form of abuse and disrespect during childbirth, and that 91% of respondents believed that abuse and disrespect during childbirth could never be stopped. A further finding was that 86% of respondents viewed abuse and disrespect during childbirth as negative, whereas 51.6% of respondents viewed the absence of abuse as a means of improving the overall quality of health care during childbirth.

Conclusion: On the basis of the study's findings, a number of recommendations were also made, including the intensification of interventions that could help prevent neglect or isolation among new mothers in the study area.