Neglect of respectful maternity care among puerperal women and midwives, their perspective during pregnancy and labour in the Holy Family Hospital, Berekum.

Abstract

The study aimed to investigate the neglect of respectful maternity care among puerperal women and midwives, their perspective during pregnancy and labour in the Holy Family Hospital, Berekum. Convenience sampling method was used in selecting the 50 puerperal women and 20 midwives. The completed questionnaires were hand-coded and entered into Microsoft Excel.The study found that exactly half 50% (25) of the respondents mentioned that confidentiality was ensured by closing of doors and windows, provision of screen during procedures 20% (10), been assured of keeping information confidential 16% (8) and holding sensitive conversations in private 14% (7). In soliciting for midwives views on strategies to promote respectful maternity care, 68% (34) of the respondents said formulating a service charter will promote respectful maternity care, 70% (35) of them cited that providing channel for reporting mistreatment will help improve respectful maternity care.The study recommended that pregnant women experienced mistreatment during pregnancy and labour. They encountered various forms of mistreatment in the form of physical abuse, verbal abuse, abandonment and non-consented mistreatment. Due to these various forms of mistreatment respondents reacted in various ways such as remaining silent, forgiving the provider, and some even decided not to return to the facility after labour.The study concluded that the management of the hospital should organize frequent supervision and training of midwives on respectful maternity care. Education is one strategy to promote respectful maternity care among care providers in facility-based childbirth