Determination of the Level of Prevalence of Disrespect and Abuse of Women during Child-Birth in the Major Hospitals in Yenagoa, South-South Nigeria

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the level of disrespect and abuse of women during childbirth in two hospitals in Yenagoa metropolis in South-South Nigeria. It was a cross-sectional survey carried out on 165 mothers who delivered within 6 weeks (August and September 2018), using a purposive sampling method. Data was collected using the Level of Disrespect and Abuse of Women during Childbirth Scale (LDAWCS). Prevalence of disrespect and abuse during childbirth in selected hospitals was low with 26.7 % (n=44) of women experiencing at least one form. The most frequent types of D&A were; detention for non-payment of bills 50.3% (n=83), women never allowed to choose a birthing position, carrying out procedures without consent 39.4% (n=65), women left naked in the view of many staff 29.7% (n=49) and women abandoned during labour 21.2% (n=35). There was a significant relationship between disrespect and demographic characteristics of parity and education, marital status, ethnicity, income and occupation had moderate evidence of a relationship with disrespect and abuse while age and religion showed no significant relationship with D &A at α = 0.05 level of significance. National human rights commission should look into cases of D & A of women and they should be encouraged to report such cases as they leave the premises for proper action to be taken. Professional bodies like the Nursing/Midwifery Council of Nigeria, Nigeria Medical Association etc., should investigate and institute disciplinary action against any member found to have disrespected and abused women during childbirth.