Magnitude and factors associated with malpractice claims among members of the Ethiopian Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: Cross sectional survey

Abstract Background Obstetrics is a medical specialty that is widely perceived by health professionals to be associated with a high risk of litigation. An increase in litigation against obstetrics and gynecology professionals, compared with other medical departments, is becoming an issue in medicine. Objective To assess the magnitude of malpractice claims and the common causes or factors that lead to these malpractice claims among Ethiopian Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists members. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted from October 1, 2024, to May 31, 2025, among members of the Ethiopian Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ESOG). The Google form questionnaire was shared to all the members through the society. SPSS version 26 was used for analysis. The degree of association was measured by using the odds ratio with 95% CI, and significance was declared at a p value of < 0.05. Ethical considerations included informed consent, confidentiality, and ethical clearance from the Ethiopian Medical Association. Results A total of 462 members of the Ethiopian Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ESOG) participated in the study. Most were male (86.6%), and the predominant age group was 40–50 years (35.3%). Among the 462 respondents, 54 (11.7%) reported experiencing at least one malpractice claim during their career. The most common adverse outcomes leading to malpractice litigation were perinatal death (53.7%) and maternal death (48.1%). Among those who faced malpractice claims, 79.6% lacked knowledge about insurance coverage. Conclusions and recommendations: The rate of malpractice claims is nearly 1 in 9, and there is a lack of legal and insurance protection for healthcare providers. Therefore, it is crucial to strengthen the registry for malpractice claims and encourage nationwide access to affordable malpractice insurance for Obstetrics and Gynecology professionals.