Obstetric violence and associated factors among postpartum women in Turkey: A cross-sectional study

The present study aimed to determine the level of reported obstetric violence among women who had given birth in Turkey and to identify the factors associated with reported obstetric violence.

A cross-sectional, descriptive study was carried out between October 1 and December 30, 2024. The sample comprised 286 women aged 18 years or older, within their first postpartum year, who had given birth in Turkey. Data were collected using a Personal Information Form and the Obstetric Violence Scale (OVS) and were analyzed with SPSS.

In unadjusted analyses, higher OVS scores were associated with unplanned pregnancy, cesarean birth, postpartum complications, inadequate information, lack of consent, and several intervention-intensive childbirth practices (P < 0.05). In multivariable negative binomial regression, postpartum complications (aIRR = 1.42, 95% CI = 1.01-2.00), lack of information during labor (aIRR = 2.40, 95% CI = 1.43-4.03), prolonged fasting (aIRR = 1.60, 95% CI = 1.09-2.35), prolonged bed rest (aIRR = 3.07, 95% CI = 1.87-5.04), continuous non-stress test (NST) (aIRR = 1.56, 95% CI = 1.07-2.29), vacuum extraction (aIRR = 2.83, 95% CI = 1.18-6.80), and fundal pressure (aIRR = 2.29, 95% CI = 1.34-3.94) remained independently associated with higher total OVS scores.

Reported obstetric violence was independently associated with several care-related factors, particularly lack of information during labor and selected intervention-intensive practices. These findings underscore the importance of respectful maternity care, effective communication, and careful evaluation of obstetric interventions.