The Determinants of Perceived Experiences of Respectful Maternal Care During Labor and Delivery in a Sample of Iranian Women: A Cross-sectional Study

Objectives: This study investigates mothers’ perceptions of respectful maternity care (RMC) during childbirth in Urmia, Iran, focusing on experiences of disrespect and service satisfaction. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional analytical design was employed, involving 400 mothers who experienced either vaginal deliveries or unplanned cesarean sections. Data were collected one month postpartum using tailored questionnaires that assessed RMC, experiences of disrespect and abuse, and service satisfaction based on the SERVQUAL model. Results: The findings revealed that 61.25% of mothers rated their RMC as good, with a mean score of 76.12 ± 12.99. Among the dimensions of respectful care, participatory care received the lowest score (76.15 ± 6.67), whereas avoidance of violence scored the highest (86.22 ± 12.59). Alarmingly, 97.2% of mothers reported experiencing at least one form of disrespect, predominantly related to inadequate pain relief during labor (61%). Furthermore, 90% expressed dissatisfaction with service quality, particularly in responsiveness (-1.98). Key predictors of perceived respectful care included the type of hospital, lack of basic insurance, maternal assessment of service quality, and types of violence encountered. Conclusions: The results underscore an urgent need for reforms in monitoring mechanisms to improve the quality of maternal care, ensuring that dignity and respect are upheld during childbirth. Addressing these issues is crucial for enhancing the overall maternal healthcare experience in Iran.