Obstetrics violence among parturient women in Kano State, north-west Nigeria.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Women endure physical and psychological abuse from carers during delivery. This form of human-right violation has not been well investigated, especially, in low-income countries. This study determined the prevalence and predictors of obstetric violence among women who gave birth in urban Kano, Nigeria. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive cross sectional study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Three hundred and sixty (360) postnatal attendees were interviewed using validated structured questionnaires. Forms of obstetric violence were ascertained and predictors generated using a logistic regression model in SPSS. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of obstetric violence was 32.3% (n = 115). The proportion among women who gave birth at home and in the hospital were 15.8% (n = 28) and 48.6% (n = 87), respectively (p < 0.05). Of the respondents that have experienced at least one form of OV, the most reported form was due to failure to meet professional standards of care (61.7%), of which neglect and abandonment (38.3%) was the commonest form. The least reported form was physical abuse (22.6%). Obstetric violence was predicted by place of delivery (hospital versus home) (Adjusted Odds ratio (AOR) = 3.52, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = (2.07-5.99), parity (0 versus ≥ 1) (AOR = 2.94, 95%CI (1.62-5.35), and labour/delivery complication (present versus absent) (AOR = 2.22, 95%CI (1.17-4.24). CONCLUSIONS: Obstetric violence was prevalent, especially, among hospital births. Health workers require training on respectful maternity care.