Thesis (MSc) - Cyprus International University. Institute of Graduate Studies and Research Health Care Organizations Management Department

Includes bibliography (sheets 62-72)

ABSTRACT
Background: Globally, the quality of healthcare and maternal treatment women receive has been marred with several mistreatment and disrespect. This is a major issue that is affecting women accessing health care facilities especially during antenatal and deliveries. Despite high prevalence reports in Nigeria of mistreatment during childbirth, studies that explore an in-depth perspective of women are sparse. This study thus investigates the experiences and perspectives of maternal mother’s perception about the quality of healthcare they receive during antenatal and delivery in public hospitals in Nigeria, particularly in Delta State.
Method: The current study adopts a qualitative approach. Purposive sampling was used in the selection of the participants (n = 20) and structured interviews were conducted on the women from diversified backgrounds that had received maternity care in any health facility in Delta State. All the women had received maternity care in the past 6 years and experienced at least an incident of mistreatment an abuse in maternal care. The determination of the sample size was based on the saturation of data. An in-depth semi-structured interview was recorded in audio format after permission from the respondents in order to ensure that the transcript used for the analysis were accurate for the researcher. To ensure anonymity, participant identification was based on codes. Equally, in order to arrange themes properly, Microsoft Word was used in creating tables. The collected data was transcribed and analysed manually considering the small sample size.
Findings: The respondents perceived common incidents in terms of verbal abuse like use of abusive language and being shouted at which they saw as dehumanizing and devaluating their dignity. The importance of assessment of the labour room for safe child delivery was also highlighted by respondents and pointed out the need for upgrade. In addition, the attitudes of nurses and midwives were greatly criticized by the women as they viewed it as abusive and disrespectful having a negative effect on their emotional well-being. However, they expressed positivity to the professionalism of the health care providers.
Conclusion: Various accounts from the participants revealed that application of respectful care is Nigeria is inadequate. The results also showed that there is need for practice and policy interventions to urgently address this issue by educating the women and most importantly putting up measures to sanction the erring nurses and midwives.
Keywords: Antenatal care, Childbirth, Healthcare, Mistreatment, Maternal-care, Perception