Respectful Maternity Care Practice: An Assessment of Parturients’ Experience at Federal Medical Center Birnin Kebbi, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Respectful maternity care (RMC) refers to treating pregnant women with respect when providing care in pregnancy, labor, and delivery. It contributes to a positive maternity care experience. The aim of the study was to assess RMC practice at the study center.
Materials and Method: A cross-sectional research where 370 parturients were studied; RMC was assessed through questions on information sharing, consent seeking, and staff attitude using a structured questionnaire. Data analysis was with SPSS version 20, results were presented as descriptive statistics. The level of significance was tested using a chi-square test at a p-value of < .05.
Results: The respondents were mainly within the 20 – 39 years age category (95.9% N = 355). They were mostly booked (83.5%, N = 309), married (95.1%, N = 352), and multiparous (52%; N = 194), with a secondary level of education (50.0%; N = 185). About 83% (N = 298) of them and 71.7% of the 138 who had episiotomy (N = 99) were given prior information about these procedures. About 69%, (N = 255) and 85% (N = 314) of them received information about their fetuses and their progress in labor respectively while 46.2% (171) were told the weight of their babies.  Consent for vaginal examination and for episiotomy was sought in 86.8% (N = 321) and 64.9% (N = 91/138) respectively. Labor room staff were attentive in 96%  (N = 356), and privacy was adequate in 89.6% (331) of cases. 
Conclusion: RMC practice was assessed to be satisfactory at the study center. 
Keywords: Respectful maternity care, labor care, staff attitude, quality of care