Attitudes and behaviour of health care workers toward women during childbirth in Zambia

Abstract

In recent years, the Chipata district has been making progress in promoting Respectful Maternity Care (RMC) implementation, with great emphasis on its underlying principles of ethics and psycho-sociocultural aspects as critical ingredients of care. RMC approach is individual-oriented and is based solely on the understanding of ethics and respect for human rights. Additionally, this approach utilizes evidence-based practices that recognize the needs and preferences of women and that of their newborns. Unfortunately, disrespectful and abusive care during childbirth has been found to discourage women from having their babies delivered by qualified health care workers, a practice that is essential in reducing maternal and neonatal mortalities. However, lacking are studies in the Chipata district that describe the prevalence of disrespectful and abusive maternity care.