UNDERSTANDING THE PHENOMENON OF LABOUR ROOM VIOLENCE AGAINST PREGNANT WOMEN: PERCEPTIONS AND PRACTICES OF HCP'S AND CHANGES AFTER RMC PRACTICES

Abstract

Objectives: To understand the phenomenon of labour room violence against women and HCP's perceptions of behaviours constituting mistreatment in labour room, to study the factors responsible for mistreatment in labour rooms and to study the changes after training of RMC practices. Methods: This study analyses mixed-methods data obtained through systematic clinical observations and open-ended comments recorded by the observers to describe care and in -depth interview to capture HCPs perception of labour room violence. Findings: There are 7 major categories of disrespect and abuse that women encountered during childbirth in health facilities which are verbal abuse, non-consented clinical care, non-condential care (including denial of privacy), non-dignied care, discrimination based on specic patient attributes, abandonment or denial of care and detention in facilities.(1) According to the present study, these forms of mistreatment has been drastically reduced in our institute in addition to which good RMC practices are adopted, so that a woman can experience decent & ethical but an honourable start towards her motherhood. Conclusions: Training of HCPs to understand the concept of respectful maternity care, development of a handbook with standard operating protocols(14) for women in labour, introduction of different birthing positions as well as birth companions were described as key components to inculcating respectful maternity care. The programme was on going one, with respectful maternity care practices being passed on from older to newer staff through a system of continuous teaching and guidance on the job, hence institutionalising these new practices through constant engagement, supervision and incremental.