Respectful Maternity Care: Compliance among Midwives in Tertiary Hospitals in Bayelsa State, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

Background: Respectful Maternity Care (RMC) is a care free from disrespect and abuse that is
given to every childbearing woman in the world. However, in most hospitals in low-resource
settings, pregnant women experience some degree of harassments and insults from the midwives.
This study was under taken to assess the level of compliance among Midwives as regards Respective
Maternity Care in tertiary hospitals in Bayelsa State.
Method: A cross-sectional descriptive design was adopted for this study with sample of 40
midwives. Data collection was done using a self-administered structured questionnaire and data
analysis was done using descriptive statistics.
Results: All respondents 40(100%) were female, majority 19(47.5%) were within 31-40 years,
while 38(95%) were Christians. Most respondents 23(57.5%) have moderate knowledge on
Respectful Maternity Care. All respondents provided privacy during childbirth 40(100%).
Majority 26(65%) did not respect clients' choice of birth positions. On consented care, 28(70%) of
respondents did not always take consent from the clients, On detainment of clients in the hospital for
refusal to pay for the services, 36(90%) respondents reported that they have not detained clients,
while 4(10%) answered in the affirmative. Compliance level was also poor. All respondents (100%)
stated that the attitude of the pregnant women, lack of human resources and infrastructure were the
factors that hinder them from practicing Respectful Maternity Care.
Conclusion: All respondents have significant knowledge about Respectful Maternity Care, the
level of compliance among respondents were poor. However, all respondents agreed that attitude of
the pregnant women, lack of human resources and infrastructure are some factors that hinder them
from practicing Respectful Maternity Care.
KEYWORDS: Respectful maternity care, midwives, knowledge, compliance.