Obstetric Violence in the state of Rio de Janeiro: Nascer no Brasil II Study

To estimate the prevalence and co-occurrence profile of obstetric violence among women hospitalized for childbirth in the state of Rio de Janeiro, as well as its distribution according to demographic, socioeconomic, and current pregnancy-related characteristics.

This is a perinatal cohort study. Data were obtained from the second telephone follow-up of the Nascer no Brasil II Study referring to the state of Rio de Janeiro. Obstetric violence (physical abuse; psychological abuse; neglect; stigma and discrimination; and inappropriate vaginal examinations) was assessed using a culturally adapted version of a World Health Organization-endorsed questionnaire. Prevalence and co-occurrence profile (Venn diagram) of the types of obstetric violence were estimated.

The overall prevalence of obstetric violence was 65.3%. The most prevalent types were inappropriate vaginal examinations (46.2%), neglect (31.5%), and psychological abuse (21.7%). Socioeconomic factors such as low educational level, unemployment, receipt of government benefits, and delivery under public healthcare financing were more frequent among women who experienced various types of obstetric violence. Other characteristics such as age ≥ 35 years, having gone into labor, and being a primipara were also associated with higher prevalence. The co-occurrence of the four most common types of obstetric violence (psychological abuse, neglect, stigma and discrimination, and inappropriate vaginal examinations) was 3%.

Findings indicate that obstetric violence is a significant public health issue in the state of Rio de Janeiro, and its occurrence reflects inequalities in care for specific subgroups of postpartum women.