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Citation
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Mohamoud YA, Cassidy E, Fuchs E, Womack LS, Romero L, Kipling L, Oza-Frank R, Baca K, Galang RR, Stewart A, Carrigan S, Mullen J, Busacker A, Behm B, Hollier LM, Kroelinger C, Mueller T, Barfield WD, Cox S. MMWR Morb. Mortal. Wkly. Rep. 2023; 72(35). |
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Abstract
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What is already known about this topic?
Maternal deaths increased in the United States during 2018-2021, with documented racial disparities. Respectful maternity care (e.g., preventing mistreatment, communicating effectively, and providing care equitably) can be integrated into strategies that aim to improve quality of care and reduce pregnancy-related deaths.
What is added by this report?
Approximately one in five mothers overall, and approximately 30% of Black, Hispanic, and multiracial mothers reported mistreatment (e.g., violations of physical privacy or verbal abuse) during maternity care. Approximately 40% of Black, Hispanic, and multiracial mothers reported discrimination during maternity care, and 45% of all mothers reported holding back from asking questions or discussing concerns with their provider.
What are the implications for public health practice?
Approaches to improving respectful maternity care include multilevel interventions involving health systems, providers, patients, and communities.
Introduction: Maternal deaths increased in the United States during 2018-2021, with documented racial disparities. Respectful maternity care is a component of quality care that includes preventing harm and mistreatment, engaging in effective communication, and providing care equitably. Improving respectful maternity care can be part of multilevel strategies to reduce pregnancy-related deaths.
Methods: CDC analyzed data from the PN View Moms survey administered during April 24-30, 2023, to examine the following components of respectful care: 1) experiences of mistreatment (e.g., violations of physical privacy, ignoring requests for help, or verbal abuse), 2) discrimination (e.g., because of race, ethnicity or skin color; age; or weight), and 3) reasons for holding back from communicating questions or concerns during maternity (pregnancy or delivery) care.
Results: Among U.S. mothers with children aged <18 years, 20% reported mistreatment while receiving maternity care for their youngest child. Approximately 30% of Black, Hispanic, and multiracial respondents and approximately 30% of respondents with public insurance or no insurance reported mistreatment. Discrimination during the delivery of maternity care was reported by 29% of respondents. Approximately 40% of Black, Hispanic, and multiracial respondents reported discrimination, and approximately 45% percent of all respondents reported holding back from asking questions or discussing concerns with their provider.
Conclusions and implications for public health practice: Approximately one in five women reported mistreatment during maternity care. Implementing quality improvement initiatives and provider training to encourage a culture of respectful maternity care, encouraging patients to ask questions and share concerns, and working with communities are strategies to improve respectful maternity care.
Language: en |