Women’s Experiences of Respectful Maternity Care during Facilitybased Childbirth in Benin City, Southern Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Respectful maternity care (RMC) is an effective strategy for improving the quality of care experienced by women during facility-based childbirth. A lack of RMC is a key factor driving both the low proportions of facility-based deliveries and high maternal and neonatal mortality. This study was conducted to assess the experiences and predictors of RMC among women of reproductive age in Benin City, Edo State.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among mothers in Benin City, who had facility-based childbirth within three months of the study. Respondents were selected using a two-stage sampling technique. Data was collected using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. RMC was assessed using 15-item RMC scale in four domains and analysed using IBM SPSS version 22.0. Binary logistic regression was conducted to determine significant predictors of RMC. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: A total of 393 women with a mean age (SD) of 33.42 (7.4) years participated in the study. Overall, 141 (35.9%) of respondents experienced RMC. Friendly care, abuse free care, timely care and discrimination free care were experienced by 147 (37.4%), 211 (53.7%), 252 (64.1%), and 124 (31.6%) respectively. Formal education [AOR = 0.318 (0.106-0.956)], primiparity/multiparity [AOR = 0.527 (0.294-0.945)] and use of public facility for childbirth [AOR = 1.623 (1.047-2.516)] were significant predictors of RMC.

Conclusion: The proportion of respondents who experienced RMC was low in the studied population. Effective communication and engagement of health care providers is essential for the provision of RMC in all contexts and settings.