Experiences of disrespect and abuse during childbirth in the World Health Organization European region: A mixed-method study among 22 countries.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Despite advancements in maternity quality care worldwide, mistreatment of women during childbirth persists. Currently, there is a gap of knowledge on the occurrence of disrespect and abuse during childbirth in the World Health Organization (WHO) European region.

Methods

Within the IMAgiNE EURO (Improving Maternal Newborn Care in the WHO European Region During COVID-19 Pandemic) study, women 18 years and older who gave birth in healthcare facilities in the WHO European region, were invited to complete an online validated questionnaire regarding quality of maternity care. Data were collected between March 2020 and May 2023, declared as the COVID-19 pandemic. A mixed-method analysis was conducted on women's experiences of abuse, involving descriptives and multivariate

SUBMITTER: Galle A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12936641 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature