Obstetric violence during labor and delivery is a significant contributor to maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Developing respectful maternity care during childbirth has been identified as an effective approach to reducing perinatal mortality. This study aimed to assess the magnitude of obstetric violence and associated factors among women who gave birth at public hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among mothers who gave birth at public hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from November 1 to 30, 2024. Four hospitals were randomly selected, and a systematic sampling method was employed to enroll 409 postpartum women. Data were collected using structured face-to-face interviews and analyzed using SPSS version 25. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with obstetric violence. Statistical significance was declared at p-value < 0.05. A total of 308 (75.3%) mothers with 95% CI (71.84–79.67) experienced at least one form of obstetric violence during institutional childbirth. The three most commonly reported forms were non-consented care (62.3%), non-confidential care (44.5%), and physical abuse (39.6%). Induction of labor (AOR = 3.56, 95% CI: 1.89–7.79), cesarean delivery (AOR = 0.304, 95% CI: 0.18–0.82), and female birth attendants (AOR = 3.12, 95% CI: 1.76–6.47) were significantly associated with obstetric violence. The magnitude of obstetric violence was high, with four out of five mothers experiencing at least one form of mistreatment during childbirth. Induction of labor, mode of delivery, and sex of birth attendant were significant predictors. Stakeholders need to develop comprehensive interventions addressing all identified risk factors to promote respectful maternity care. Not applicable.
Desalegn et al. (2026) studied this question.