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. 2021 Mar 24;18(7):3359.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph18073359.

Obstetric Violence in Spain (Part III): Healthcare Professionals, Times, and Areas

Desirée Mena-Tudela  1 , Susana Iglesias-Casás  2 , Víctor Manuel González-Chordá  1 , María Jesús Valero-Chillerón  1 , Laura Andreu-Pejó  1 , Águeda Cervera-Gasch  1
Affiliations

Obstetric Violence in Spain (Part III): Healthcare Professionals, Times, and Areas

Desirée Mena-Tudela et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

Abstract

Background: Obstetric violence is a worldwide public health problem, which seems greater in Spain. As no studies were found that identify the most representative healthcare professionals, times, and areas involved in obstetric violence, the objective of this work was to study at what time of maternity, with which professionals, and in what areas women identified obstetric violence.

Methods: This descriptive, retrospective, and cross-sectional study was performed from January 2018 to June 2019. The main variables were the area (hospital, primary care, both), the time (pregnancy, birth, puerperium), and the professionals attending to women.

Results: Our sample comprised 17,541 participants. The area identified with the most obstetric violence for the different studied variables was hospitals. Women identified more obstetric violence at time of birth. Findings such as lack of information and informed consent (74.2%), and criticism of infantile behavior and treatment (87.6%), stood out. The main identified healthcare professionals were midwives and gynecologists, and "other" professionals repeatedly appeared.

Conclusions: Having identified the professionals, times, and areas of most obstetric violence in Spain, it seems necessary to reflect on not only the Spanish National Health System's structure and management but also on healthcare professionals' training.

Keywords: Spain; midwife; obstetric violence; sexual and reproductive health.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The most representative professionals at all the times care was received in relation to informed consent requested and information received.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The most representative professionals at all the times care was received in relation to criticized behavior and treated with childish diminutives.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Most representative professionals at each time care was received in relation to not being able to resolve doubts or express fears/concerns.
Figure 4
Figure 4
The most represented professionals in all areas in relation to received baby care support.
Figure 5
Figure 5
The most represented professionals in all areas in relation to received breastfeeding support.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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