Compassionate and respectful maternity care for mothers who gave birth in public health facilities in North Gondar, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background Improving the prevalence of compassionate and respectful maternity care is a critical agenda and an important component of healthcare provider quality assurance. Making compassionate and respectful maternity care available is an important way to increase facility-based childbirth use in Ethiopia. However, evidence on compassionate and respectful maternal care during labour delivery services is limited. Therefore, this study aimed to assess compassionate and respectful maternity care, and its predictors, among those who gave birth in health facilities in North Gondar. Methods An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from May to July 2020 in a public health facility in North Gondar, Ethiopia. Systematic random sampling was used to select 398 study participants. Data were collected from participants using a pretested structured questionnaire. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression model analyses with 95% confidence intervals were carried out to identify predictors of compassionate and respectful maternity care. Results A total of 398 respondents participated in the study. The overall prevalence of compassionate, respectful maternal care was 52.5%. Having primary school level education (adjusted odds ratio: 1.96), having attended antenatal care (adjusted odds ratio: 2.92), labour lasting for less than 6 hours (adjusted odds ratio: 2.22), and the intention to give birth in a health facility (adjusted odds ratio: 3.06) were significant predictors of compassionate and respectful maternity care. Conclusions The prevalence of compassionate and respectful maternity care was low and violations of women's rights are an important barrier to women seeking to give birth in a health facility. Hence, to promote high-quality maternal health services, health professionals must practice women-friendly approaches to improve the relationship between health workers and mothers during their stay at health facilities. Enforcing respectful maternity care is vital to strengthen maternal services and improve the rate of institution-based birth.