Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42022612›Full record

ArticleHealth science reports2026

Perspectives of Kurdish Postnatal Women on Respectful Maternity Care: A Qualitative Study.

Khalat Karwan Fares, Hamdia Mirkhan Ahmed, Kochr Ali Mahmood, Sirwan Khalid Ahmed, Hiwa Abdulrahman Ahmad, Moustaq Karim Khan Rony

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Article in Health science reports, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

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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

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Khalat Karwan FaresMidwifery Department, Koya Technical Institute Erbil Polytechnic University Erbil Iraq.
Hamdia Mirkhan AhmedCollege of Health Sciences Hawler Medical University Erbil Kurdistan Region Iraq.
Kochr Ali MahmoodFaculty of Medicine Koya University Iraq.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6337-9199
Sirwan Khalid AhmedCollege of Nursing University of Raparin Rania, Sulaymaniyah Kurdistan Region Iraq.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8361-0546
Hiwa Abdulrahman AhmadDepartment of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Health Koya University Iraq.
Moustaq Karim Khan RonyMiyan Research Institute International University of Business Agriculture and Technology Dhaka Bangladesh.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6905-0554

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background and Aims: Respectful maternity care (RMC) is an essential component of high-quality maternal healthcare and a fundamental human right, ensuring that women experience childbirth with dignity, privacy, and autonomy. Despite global efforts to promote RMC, many women, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, continue to experience mistreatment and disrespect during childbirth. This study aims to elucidate Kurdish postnatal women's preferences regarding respectful behaviors and interactions during labor and delivery, while also exploring their lived experiences, expectations, and the challenges they encounter within the healthcare system. Methods: A qualitative descriptive study design was employed, from September 18, 2023 to December 26, 2023, utilizing semi-structured in-depth interviews with 20 postnatal women in a public hospital setting in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Participants were selected through purposive sampling to capture diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds. Thematic analysis was used to identify key themes related to RMC, guided by the WHO framework on respectful maternity care. Results: Thematic analysis revealed six major themes: respect and dignity, gentleness and supportive care, clear communication, privacy, family presence, and cultural and religious sensitivity. Women emphasized the importance of non-discriminatory treatment, kind and patient midwives, clear and respectful communication, and privacy during medical procedures. Family presence during labor and culturally sensitive practices were also highly valued. Additionally, some women reported concerns regarding verbal abuse, neglect, and socioeconomic discrimination, indicating gaps in the provision of RMC. Conclusions: The findings highlight the urgent need for healthcare systems in the Kurdistan region to align maternity care practices with the cultural, emotional, and physical needs of women. Recommendations include enhanced training for maternity care providers on respectful, patient-centered care, ensuring privacy, accommodating cultural and religious preferences, and supporting the involvement of family members during labor. Addressing these areas can strengthen trust in maternity services, improve maternal experiences, and contribute to broader global goals in maternal health and human rights.

Indexed as

dignity in childbirthKurdish womenmaternal healthqualitative researchrespectful maternity care

Identifiers

PMID42022612
PMCPMC13097589

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