A recent study focusing on obstetric violence experienced by Ghanaian women has brought to light distressing findings.

According to the research two-thirds of pregnant women are subjected to mistreatment at the hands of healthcare professionals during labor and childbirth.

The investigation was led by Dr. Abena Yalley, a Ghanaian researcher based in Germany, alongside her team of researchers.

Over the span of September 2021 to February 2022, they engaged with 2,142 mothers residing in the Western and Ashanti Regions of Ghana, delving into the issue of Obstetric Violence.

Termed as "Humanizing the Birthing Process," the study aimed to uncover the underlying factors that hinder both maternal and newborn well-being. It aimed to bridge the gap between the high rates of antenatal care utilization and the comparatively low rates of hospital deliveries, a discrepancy that undermines the goals of ensuring safe maternal care, reducing morbidity, and preventing mortality.

The context in Ghana revealed a disturbing statistic: in 2017 alone, 310 maternal deaths were recorded per 100,000 live births, a deeply concerning figure for achieving Sustainable Development Goal indicators.

Dr. Abena Yalley, during a dissemination workshop involving nurses, midwives, doctors, women's groups, and educators from training institutions, emphasized the pressing nature of the burden posed by obstetric violence in Ghana.

She described how this violence manifested in various forms: disrespect, lack of empathy, undignified care, neglect, abandonment, physical violence, and procedures performed without consent.

The research identified distressing practices within healthcare facilities, including shouting, beating of women during labor, and performing episiotomy stitches without anesthesia after deliveries. These practices were identified as common yet perilous.

Significantly, the study uncovered that these abuses were particularly inflicted upon single mothers and teenage girls.

The repercussions of these negative behaviors displayed by healthcare professionals were far-reaching.

It led many women to prefer seeking assistance from traditional birth attendants over skilled medical professionals. Moreover, women who had endured such mistreatment experienced psychological and emotional trauma, often leading to a reluctance to seek facility-based deliveries.

This situation, as revealed by the study, has the potential to undermine progress in reducing maternal and newborn mortality rates, as well as in preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV and AIDS.

Addressing these grave concerns, the study put forth recommendations. It called for a revision of the curricula in healthcare institutions, emphasizing the importance of compassionate care.

It also urged strategic interventions to break the cycle of violence and proposed the implementation of grievance systems to address instances of abuse. Such measures are deemed crucial to ensure that maternal care is not just safe but also respectful and dignified.