| dc.description.abstract | This is a community survey carried out in Uringu Division, Meru County to investigate
Disrespect and Abuse of women during facility based deliveries. Objectives of the study were to
determine; the prevalence of D&A, the types of D&A experienced by women, the relationship
between socio-demographic characteristics and D&A of women during facility based deliveries,
and how D&A affects intent to use maternity services. This was a cross sectional survey that
utilized both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Area and purposive sampling methods were
used while data collection was by use of structured questionnaires and in-depth interviews.
Data analysis was done by using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 20) and thematic
analysis for qualitative data. Prevalence of disrespect and abuse during child birth in Uringu
Division was high with 71.9 % (n=149) of women having experienced at least one form. Most
frequent types of D&A were; denial of companionship during labor 73% (n=151), vaginal
examinations without consent 56% (n=115) and episiotomies without consent 38% (n=79).
There was significant relationship between disrespect and abuse and intent to use service (Χ2
=9.097, p=0.04, α=0.05) which could be explained by two categories namely non-dignified care
and discrimination in service provision. Majority of women who choose to deliver in health
facility experienced at least one form of Disrespect and Abuse. This Disrespect and abuse affects
all women irrespective of their socio-demographic characteristic with women who have
experienced being more likely not to use maternity services. County government of Meru needs
to address this problem with relevant training to the healthcare workers. In addition the public
needs to be trained about their rights to quality care devoid of abuse | en_US |
