2 out of 3 women are mistreated, abused during childbirth – Study – Skyy Power FM

Two out of every three pregnant women in Ghana experienced obstetric abuse at the hands of medical personnel during labour and delivery, according to research on the subject.

Between September 2021 and February 2022, 2,142 women participated in a study on obstetric violence in the Western and Ashanti Regions that was led by a Ghanaian researcher with a base in Germany named Dr. Abena Yalley.

The study, termed: “Humanizing the Birthing Process” sought to find out the factors impeding maternal and newborn deaths and the gaps between why many women accessed antenatal care but did not translate into hospital deliveries and thus hampering the achievement of safe maternal care, morbidity, and mortality.

According to research, 310 fatalities were reported in Ghana in 2017 out of 100,000 live births, which is a significant concern for meeting several SDG indicators.

The prevalence of obstetric violence in Ghana is a pressing issue, according to Dr. Abena Yalley, who made this statement during a dissemination workshop with nurses, midwives, physicians, women’s groups, and trainers of training institutes.

“Obstetrics Violence in the facilities understudied manifested in the form of disrespect, lack of empathy, non-dignified care, neglect and abandonment, physical violence and non-consented.”

The research found that some of the frequent yet risky practises at institutions were yelling or shouting, beating of pregnant women, and sewing episiotomies without anaesthesia by medical staff.

The survey found that the majority of these assaults were committed against women, particularly young girls and single moms.

Source: GNA