Introduction: Adequate working conditions and resources, both in terms of quantity and quality, are essential for compassionate behavior and quality patient care. This study aimed to investigate the working conditions and their impact on the behavior of healthcare providers in the maternity ward at Yalgado OUEDRAOGO University Hospital (CHUYO). Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from September 1, 2022, to March 1, 2023. We interviewed healthcare providers after observing their interactions with women during labor. Results: The mean age of the 71 healthcare providers was 37.4 years. Regarding the perception of working conditions, 95.77% of providers reported being overworked, and 97.18% were satisfied with their job but not with their salary. Regarding the assessment throughout the childbirth process, no provider was uncompassionate, 56.34% were moderately compassionate, and 43.66% were compassionate. For healthcare providers, the main factors affecting their behavior were difficult working conditions. Workplace relationships were the only factor associated with compassionate behavior. Conclusion: Despite difficult working conditions, the level of compassionate behavior among providers is generally satisfactory. However, while working conditions and certain practices need improvement, other negative behaviors must be avoided by the healthcare providers.
References
[1]
Miller, S. and Lalonde, A. (2015) The Global Epidemic of Abuse and Disrespect during Childbirth: History, Evidence, Interventions, and Figo’s Mother-Baby Friendly Birthing Facilities Initiative. International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics, 131, S49-S52. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijgo.2015.02.005
[2]
Fachon, K.D., Truong, S., Narayan, S., Buniak, C.D., Vergara Kruczynski, K., Cohen, A., et al. (2024) Providers’ Perceptions of Respectful and Disrespectful Maternity Care at Massachusetts General Hospital. Reproductive Medicine, 5, 231-242. https://doi.org/10.3390/reprodmed5040020
[3]
Jiru, H.D. and Sendo, E.G. (2021) Promoting Compassionate and Respectful Maternity Care during Facility-Based Delivery in Ethiopia: Perspectives of Clients and Midwives. BMJ Open, 11, e051220. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2021-051220
[4]
Bohren, M.A., Vogel, J.P., Hunter, E.C., Lutsiv, O., Makh, S.K., Souza, J.P., et al. (2015) The Mistreatment of Women during Childbirth in Health Facilities Globally: A Mixed-Methods Systematic Review. PLOS Medicine, 12, e1001847. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1001847
[5]
Bohren, M.A., Vogel, J.P., Tunçalp, Ö., Fawole, B., Titiloye, M.A., Olutayo, A.O., et al. (2017) Mistreatment of Women during Childbirth in Abuja, Nigeria: A Qualitative Study on Perceptions and Experiences of Women and Healthcare Providers. Reproductive Health, 14, Article No. 9. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-016-0265-2
[6]
Bohren, M.A., Tunçalp, Ö. and Miller, S. (2020) Transforming Intrapartum Care: Respectful Maternity Care. Best Practice & Research Clinical Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 67, 113-126. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2020.02.005
[7]
Afulani, P.A., Kelly, A.M., Buback, L., Asunka, J., Kirumbi, L. and Lyndon, A. (2020) Providers’ Perceptions of Disrespect and Abuse during Childbirth: A Mixed-Methods Study in Kenya. Health Policy and Planning, 35, 577-586. https://doi.org/10.1093/heapol/czaa009
[8]
Ogunlaja, A., Fehintola, O., Ogunlaja, I., Popoola, G., Idowu, A., Awotunde, O.T., et al. (2017) “Respectful Maternity Care” or “Disrespect and Abuse during Maternity Care”; Experience of Pregnant Women in Ogbomoso, South West Nigeria. Rwanda Medical Journal, 74, 6-9.
[9]
Sando, D., Ratcliffe, H., McDonald, K., Spiegelman, D., Lyatuu, G., Mwanyika-Sando, M., et al. (2016) The Prevalence of Disrespect and Abuse during Facility-Based Childbirth in Urban Tanzania. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 16, Article No. 236. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-016-1019-4
[10]
Sethi, R., Gupta, S., Oseni, L., Mtimuni, A., Rashidi, T. and Kachale, F. (2017) The Prevalence of Disrespect and Abuse during Facility-Based Maternity Care in Malawi: Evidence from Direct Observations of Labor and Delivery. Reproductive Health, 14, Article No. 111. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-017-0370-x
[11]
Ouédraogo, A., Kiemtoré, S., Zamané, H., Bonané, B.T., Akotionga, M. and Lankoande, J. (2014) Respectful Maternity Care in Three Health Facilities in Burkina Faso: The Experience of the Society of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians of Burkina Faso. International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics, 127, S40-S42. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijgo.2014.07.009
[12]
Zongnaba, W. (2015) Comportement compatissant des prestataires de soins en salle de naissance dans le département de gynécologie et d’obstétrique du centre hospitalier universitaire yalgado OUEDRAOGO à Ouagadougou au Burkina Faso. Medical Thesis, Université Joseph KI-ZERBO.
[13]
Windau-Melmer, T. (2013) A Guide for Advocating for Respectful Maternity Care. Futures Group, Health Policy Project, 74 p. https://digrep.mchs.mw/bitstreams/9f4e1eef-670c-4b1d-b131-d78578ffebc3/download
[14]
Naseri, S., Ghafourifard, M. and Ghahramanian, A. (2022) The Impact of Work Environment on Nurses’ Compassion: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study. SAGE Open Nursing, 8, 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1177/23779608221119124
[15]
Ergin, A., Özcan, M. and Aksoy, S.D. (2019) The Compassion Levels of Midwives Working in the Delivery Room. Nursing Ethics, 27, 887-898. https://doi.org/10.1177/0969733019874495
[16]
Wesson, J., Hamunime, N., Viadro, C., Carlough, M., Katjiuanjo, P., McQuide, P., et al. (2018) Provider and Client Perspectives on Maternity Care in Namibia: Results from Two Cross-Sectional Studies. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 18, Article No. 363. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-018-1999-3
[17]
Garcia, L.P., Höfelmann, D.A. and Facchini, L.A. (2010) Self-Rated Health and Working Conditions among Workers from Primary Health Care Centers in Brazil. Cadernos de Saúde Pública, 26, 971-980. https://doi.org/10.1590/s0102-311x2010000500019
[18]
Ndwiga, C., Warren, C.E., Ritter, J., Sripad, P. and Abuya, T. (2017) Exploring Provider Perspectives on Respectful Maternity Care in Kenya: “Work with What You Have”. Reproductive Health, 14, Article No. 99. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-017-0364-8
[19]
Kasaye, H., Scarf, V., Sheehy, A. and Baird, K. (2024) Health Care Providers’ Perspectives on the Mistreatment Towards Women during Maternity Care: Do Perceptions of the Working Environment and Empathy Level Matter? Women and Birth, 37, Article 101601. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2024.101601
[20]
Kitaneh, M. and Hamdan, M. (2012) Workplace Violence against Physicians and Nurses in Palestinian Public Hospitals: A Cross-Sectional Study. BMC Health Services Research, 12, Article No. 469. https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6963-12-469
[21]
Mirzania, M., Shakibazadeh, E., Bohren, M.A., Hantoushzadeh, S., Babaey, F., Khajavi, A., et al. (2023) Mistreatment of Women during Childbirth and Its Influencing Factors in Public Maternity Hospitals in Tehran, Iran: A Multi-Stakeholder Qualitative Study. Reproductive Health, 20, Article No. 79. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-023-01620-0
[22]
Reddy, B., Thomas, S., Karachiwala, B., Sadhu, R., Iyer, A., Sen, G., et al. (2022) A Scoping Review of the Impact of Organisational Factors on Providers and Related Interventions in LMICs: Implications for Respectful Maternity Care. PLOS Global Public Health, 2, e0001134. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0001134
[23]
Rahmani, Z. and Brekke, M. (2013) Antenatal and Obstetric Care in Afghanistan—A Qualitative Study among Health Care Receivers and Health Care Providers. BMC Health Services Research, 13, Article No. 166. https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6963-13-166
[24]
Adatara, P., Amooba, P.A., Afaya, A., Salia, S.M., Avane, M.A., Kuug, A., et al. (2021) Challenges Experienced by Midwives Working in Rural Communities in the Upper East Region of Ghana: A Qualitative Study. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 21, Article No. 287. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-021-03762-0
[25]
Bremnes, H.S., Wiig, Å.K., Abeid, M. and Darj, E. (2018) Challenges in Day-to-Day Midwifery Practice; a Qualitative Study from a Regional Referral Hospital in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. Global Health Action, 11, Article 1453333. https://doi.org/10.1080/16549716.2018.1453333
[26]
Carvajal, B., Hancock, A., Lewney, K., Hagan, K., Jamieson, S. and Cooke, A. (2024) A Global Overview of Midwives’ Working Conditions: A Rapid Review of Literature on Positive Practice Environment. Women and Birth, 37, 15-50. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2023.08.007
[27]
Banchani, E. and Tenkorang, E.Y. (2014) Implementation Challenges of Maternal Health Care in Ghana: The Case of Health Care Providers in the Tamale Metropolis. BMC Health Services Research, 14, Article No. 7. https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6963-14-7
[28]
Mannava, P., Durrant, K., Fisher, J., Chersich, M. and Luchters, S. (2015) Attitudes and Behaviours of Maternal Health Care Providers in Interactions with Clients: A Systematic Review. Globalization and Health, 11, Article No. 30. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12992-015-0117-9
[29]
Tarekegne, A.A., Giru, B.W. and Mekonnen, B. (2022) Person-Centered Maternity Care during Childbirth and Associated Factors at Selected Public Hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2021: A Cross-Sectional Study. Reproductive Health, 19, Article No. 199. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-022-01503-w
[30]
Kandeya, B., Chimwaza-Manda, W., Kaira, P., Hanson, C., Henriksson, D.K., Stones, W., et al. (2025) Unlocking the Path to Quality Maternity Care: A Qualitative Study on Work Environment Dynamics, Providers’ Responsiveness, and Professionalism in Central Region, Malawi. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 25, Article No. 410. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-025-07525-z
