One in five women giving birth in Kenyan health facilities face disrespect and abuse, according to the latest figures released by the Kenyan Population Council.
One in five women giving birth in Kenyan health facilities face disrespect and abuse, according to the latest figures released by the Kenyan Population Council.
The council, which aims to change the way health systems, providers and women think about childbirth care, conducted the survey in partnership with the Ministry of Health to investigate the often overlooked issues that prevent women from seeking skilled care.
“Today, just four in ten Kenyan women have their babies in a hospital or birthing clinic. One reason for low rates of skilled birth attendance is that some women experience disrespect and abuse at hospitals and clinics,” said Population Council researcher Charlotte Warren.
“Certainly every woman seeking care doesn’t experience this terrible treatment but even one case of disrespect or abuse is too many. Women deserve quality care and support during pregnancy and childbirth.”
With funding from the US Agency for International Development (USAID), the council and its partners have documented the types and prevalence of disrespectful and abusive treatment women experience at hospitals and clinics in select districts around Kenya in order to address the problem and thereby increase the number of women seeking skilled childbirth care in health facilities
The baseline surveys found out that nearly one in five women were treated in a humiliating way or felt disrespected in clinics. 7.4% of women attending the hospitals felt their privacy was compromised and pain relief was also ignored.
The survey also reports that there is irregularities as the patients receive treatment they did not consent to, and others reported being physically abused in the process of finding treatment. Finance was also reported to big issue as mothers who lack funds to pay for treatment are detained with their infants and not allowed to leave the hospital.
The council’s assessment also found some quality of care issues that must be addressed at the health system level including dirty facilities, insufficient resources (e.g. a lack of beds, curtains and equipment), and shortages of food, drinks, and bathing water. All of these factors may further discourage women from delivering in facilities.
The Population Council is working with community members, policymakers, and partners the Ministry of Health, the Federation of Women Lawyers, and the National Nurses Association of Kenya to examine the data and define solutions that will help to end poor treatment.
The council seeks to ensure that women and families understand that mistreatment is neither normal nor acceptable. It also aims to train managers and supervisors to create a culture of excellence where respect for patients is the norm, and to help providers understand the importance of treating patients with dignity.
The council will be working closely with communities and health facilities to define and implement initiatives, which will be closely monitored and evaluated. The most effective solutions will be refined and expanded across the region.
COMMENTS