Experience of, and Perceptions on, Disrespectful Treatment from Health Workers, by Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic in Southeastern Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Disrespectful maternity care is a sexual and reproductive right abuse that can discourage women from seeking maternal care in formal healthcare facilities. Objective: To determine the experience of, and perceptions on disrespectful treatment from health workers, by pregnant antenatal clinic attendees in Anambra, Nigeria. Methodology: Questionnaire-based, cross-sectional study of 250 pregnant women from six health facilities in Anambra, Nigeria. Data analysis performed using SPSS version 22.0. Statistical comparison of variables employed chi-square test, Significant at p-value <0.05 at 95% confidence interval. Results: Thirty-one participants (12.4%) had experienced disrespect and abuse (D&A), most commonly during labour and delivery 74.2%. Physical Abuse most commonly occurred 13(41.9%). Respondent’s experience of disrespectful care was highest from TBAs (50%) and lowest for Obstetrician (1.8%). Similarly, respondent perceptions on respectful care was best for obstetricians (RCI=0.99), and least for the TBAs (RCI=0.67). Respondents also perceived that promotion of respectful maternity care is best achieved through healthcare provider education, 68 (27.2%) followed by provision of free maternal healthcare, 65 (26.0%). Conclusion: Inspite of the low level of D&A in this study, no pregnant woman should be subjected to undue mistreatment during maternity care. Improving the quality of training of birth attendants, to incorporate respectful maternity care is necessary, together with ensuring the wide-scale access of pregnant women to skilled obstetricians.