Conference abstract
Prevalence, associated factors and experience of disrespect and abuse during childbirth among women of reproductive age in Kilimanjaro region, Tanzania
Pan African Medical Journal - Conference Proceedings. 2024:21(65).29
Apr 2024.
doi: 10.11604/pamj-cp.2024.21.65.2396
Archived on: 29 Apr 2024
Contact the corresponding author
Keywords: Maternity care, participants
Oral presentation
Prevalence, associated factors and experience of disrespect and abuse during childbirth among women of reproductive age in Kilimanjaro region, Tanzania
Evance Raphael Lyimo1,&, Ahmed A. Nyaki1, Sia E msuya1
1Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University Collage (KCMUCo), Tanzania
&Corresponding author
Introduction: respectful Maternity Care (RMC) is recognized as a fundamental human right by the United Nations (UN), making it a critical concern in the context of maternal health. Disrespectful and abusive (D&A) care during childbirth contributes to poor maternal delivery services and an increased maternal mortality ratio. RMC aims to provide secure, scientifically supported care in a welcoming environment, enhancing facility child birth practices and promoting good pregnancy outcomes. Tanzania, a lower middle-income country, faces high maternal deaths due to difficulties during pregnancy and childbirth. Addressing D&A's magnitude, experience, and associated factors is crucial for improving maternal health services and reducing maternal mortality rates.
Methods: a community based cross-sectional study was conducted from February to July 2023 using a mixed method approach employing quantitative and qualitative methods. It was conducted in Kilimanjaro region (Rombo and Moshi municipality). The survey recruited 280 women of reproductive age who delivered within the past two years as study population and two health care providers (leaders from each district). Questionnaire were used for quantitative data collection and interview guides were used for qualitative data collection. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied for quantitative data analysis and thematic framework for qualitative analysis of data.
Results: out of the 363 study participants, 223 (61.4%) were married, and nearly two-thirds had achieved at least primary education 203(55.9%). Additionally, a significant majority of the participants were involved in informal income-generating activities 285 (78.5%). The prevalence of disrespect and abuse (D&A) during childbirth was observed to be 49.7% (176 /354). Among the various types of D&A, non-consented care 203 (57.3%) and non-confidential care 181(50.1%) were the most commonly reported, while non-dignified and physical abuse were 37% and 26% respectively. On the other hand, detention in the facility and discriminatory care were the least practiced, each accounting for only 1.7%. Male healthcare providers showed a significant association with lower D&A risk. Participants shared their D&A experiences, perceived contributors to D&A and their preferences for care.
Conclusion: every woman has the right to receive kind and respectful maternity care, and mistreatment during childbirth services remains obstacles to achieving safe motherhood practice. To address the high level of D&A during childbirth, educating staff about RMC, enhancing supervision of maternal rights, and implementing plans to reduce care provider’s misbehaving are crucial steps towards improving quality of care and ensure safe child birth experience.
Prevalence, associated factors and experience of disrespect and abuse during childbirth among women of reproductive age in Kilimanjaro region, Tanzania
Evance Raphael Lyimo1,&, Ahmed A. Nyaki1, Sia E msuya1
1Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University Collage (KCMUCo), Tanzania
&Corresponding author
Introduction: respectful Maternity Care (RMC) is recognized as a fundamental human right by the United Nations (UN), making it a critical concern in the context of maternal health. Disrespectful and abusive (D&A) care during childbirth contributes to poor maternal delivery services and an increased maternal mortality ratio. RMC aims to provide secure, scientifically supported care in a welcoming environment, enhancing facility child birth practices and promoting good pregnancy outcomes. Tanzania, a lower middle-income country, faces high maternal deaths due to difficulties during pregnancy and childbirth. Addressing D&A's magnitude, experience, and associated factors is crucial for improving maternal health services and reducing maternal mortality rates.
Methods: a community based cross-sectional study was conducted from February to July 2023 using a mixed method approach employing quantitative and qualitative methods. It was conducted in Kilimanjaro region (Rombo and Moshi municipality). The survey recruited 280 women of reproductive age who delivered within the past two years as study population and two health care providers (leaders from each district). Questionnaire were used for quantitative data collection and interview guides were used for qualitative data collection. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied for quantitative data analysis and thematic framework for qualitative analysis of data.
Results: out of the 363 study participants, 223 (61.4%) were married, and nearly two-thirds had achieved at least primary education 203(55.9%). Additionally, a significant majority of the participants were involved in informal income-generating activities 285 (78.5%). The prevalence of disrespect and abuse (D&A) during childbirth was observed to be 49.7% (176 /354). Among the various types of D&A, non-consented care 203 (57.3%) and non-confidential care 181(50.1%) were the most commonly reported, while non-dignified and physical abuse were 37% and 26% respectively. On the other hand, detention in the facility and discriminatory care were the least practiced, each accounting for only 1.7%. Male healthcare providers showed a significant association with lower D&A risk. Participants shared their D&A experiences, perceived contributors to D&A and their preferences for care.
Conclusion: every woman has the right to receive kind and respectful maternity care, and mistreatment during childbirth services remains obstacles to achieving safe motherhood practice. To address the high level of D&A during childbirth, educating staff about RMC, enhancing supervision of maternal rights, and implementing plans to reduce care provider’s misbehaving are crucial steps towards improving quality of care and ensure safe child birth experience.
