In the early years, the notion behind equal rights and opportunities had been a subject of arguments worldwide. We have seen unequal treatment in different sectors, whether it be from small groups like in classrooms, workspaces to a much bigger scale like communities. Anchored with these acts are disrespect and abuse. It's appalling to think that these cases are rampant even in areas where health and lives are at risk; by that, I meant the hospitals and healthcare facilities.
The majority of patients who have experienced disrespect, abuse, and neglected treatments are women during childbirth. Bowser and Hill (2010) described 7 categories of disrespectful and abusive care during childbirth. This includes physical abuse, non-consented clinical care, non-confidential care, non-dignified care, discrimination, abandonment, and detention in health facilities. And undoubtedly, its psychological effects are greatly observed. Studies have shown that there is a direct connection between obstetric care received during facility-based childbirth and the women's decision to plan to deliver again in the same facility (Shiferaw et.al, 2013). Well of course, who would want to experience a traumatic event the second time around, right?
These dehumanizing concerns have been raised by advocates yet despite their efforts of combating the leech, they still continue to appear around the world. It is problematic considering that the process of childbearing and labor should be one of the greatest experiences a parent could have. The concept of "respectful maternity care" should be enjoyed by women regardless of their socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, age, and parity. Receiving standard maternal prudence and caution should be a bare minimum.
Respectful maternity care is not merely a vital component of quality of care. Rather, it is a human right that every birth-giving mother should benefit from. The governing bodies throughout the world should expand and strengthen their policy-making to gradually lower the prevalence of disrespect and abuse in the healthcare setting. The World Health Organization's advocacy of improving the quality of care of mothers and newborns should be strongly implemented especially in low- to middle-income countries.
References:
Bulto, G. A., Demissie, D. B., & Tulu, A. S. (2020). Respectful maternity care during labor and childbirth and associated factors among women who gave birth at health institutions in the West Shewa zone, Oromia region, Central Ethiopia. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 20(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-020-03135-z
Freedman, L. P., Ramsey, K., Abuya, T., Bellows, B., Ndwiga, C., Warren, C. E., Kujawski, S., Moyo, W., Kruk, M. E., & Mbaruku, G. (2014). Defining disrespect and abuse of women in childbirth: a research, policy and rights agenda. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 92(12), 915–917. https://doi.org/10.2471/blt.14.137869
Maternal Health Task Force. (2014, December 13). Respectful Maternity Care. Maternal Health Task Force. https://www.mhtf.org/topics/respectful-maternity-care/