Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41088180›Full record

SynthesisReproductive health2025

Prevalence of mistreatment and disrespect of women during childbirth in the world: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Marjan Mirzania, Elham Shakibazadeh, Azam Maleki, Mohammadamin Noorafrooz, Nazanin Karimi, Kaveri Mayra, Mohadese Dashtkoohi, Sedigheh Hantoushzadeh

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-AnalysisReview
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Reproductive health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
6citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

6 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Article
  3. Article
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  6. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Marjan MirzaniaDepartment of Social Medicine, School of Medicine, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran.
Elham ShakibazadehDepartment of Health Education and Promotion, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Azam MalekiSocial Determinants of Health Research Center, Health and Metabolic Diseases Research Institute, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran.
Mohammadamin NoorafroozVali-E-Asr Reproductive Health Research Center, Family Health Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Nazanin KarimiSchool of Medicine and Student Research Committee, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
Kaveri MayraBoard Member, Human Rights in Childbirth, The Hague, Netherlands.
Mohadese DashtkoohiVali-E-Asr Reproductive Health Research Center, Family Health Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Sedigheh HantoushzadehVali-E-Asr Reproductive Health Research Center, Family Health Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. hantoushzadeh@tums.ac.ir.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundMistreatment of women during childbirth is a serious violation of women’s rights, which has become a common experience for many women worldwide and is considered a public health challenge because of the negative outcomes it can cause for both mothers and newborns. This systematic review is aimed to estimate the global prevalence of mistreatment and disrespect of women during childbirth.

methodsThe electronic databases PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar search engine, and other sources were searched from January 1, 2000, to May 31, 2024, without language restriction, using a pre-specified search strategy. Studies meeting our inclusion criteria were included and assessed for quality using a standardized risk of bias assessment tool. Pooled prevalence was estimated using a random-effects model using Stata software, version 14.0. Heterogeneity was assessed using Cochran’s Q test and I2 statistic, and publication bias was assessed using Begg’s funnel plot and Egger’s test.

resultsIn total, 117 studies were included, providing 125 datasets and involving 209,175 participants across 37 countries. The prevalence of mistreatment and disrespect during childbirth ranged from 1.9 to 100%, with a pooled estimate of 54.5% (95% CI: 49.1%-59.9%, I2 = 100%). The highest prevalence was observed for “not being allowed a birth companion” (51.5%; 95% CI: 3.7%-99.2%) and “poor rapport between women and providers” (48.1%; 95% CI: 32.2%-64.01%), while the lowest prevalence was related to “sexual abuse” (1.2%; 95% CI: -0.14%-2.6%). Risk of bias assessment was the only significant predictor, suggesting that methodological quality influenced the reported prevalence of mistreatment and disrespect.

conclusionThis study found that more than half (54.5%) of women globally experience mistreatment and disrespect during childbirth- a widespread and alarming issue. The findings highlight an urgent need for targeted interventions, policies, and programs to ensure respectful, safe, and equitable maternity care for all women.

Indexed as

Delivery, ObstetricParturitionProfessional-Patient RelationsRespectFemaleHumansMaternal Health ServicesPregnancyPrevalenceWomen's RightsChildbirthDisrespect and abuseHuman rightsMaternal healthMistreatmentObstetric violenceQuality of careSystematic review

Identifiers

PMID41088180
PMCPMC12522719

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.