WEDNESDAY, Aug. 23, 2023 (HealthDay News) — About one in five women report mistreatment during maternity care, with mistreatment reported more often by Black, Hispanic, and multiracial respondents, according to a Vital Signs report published online Aug. 22 in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

Noting that respectful maternity care is a component of quality care that includes preventing harm and mistreatment, engaging in effective communication, and providing care equitably, Yousra A. Mohamoud, Ph.D., from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, and colleagues examined components of respectful care using data from a survey administered during April 24 to 30, 2023.

The researchers found that 20 percent of U.S. mothers with children younger than 18 years reported mistreatment while receiving maternity care for their youngest child. Mistreatment was reported by about 30 percent of Black, Hispanic, and multiracial respondents and about 30 percent of respondents with public or no insurance. Overall, 29 percent of respondents reported discrimination during the delivery of maternity care, and about 40 percent of Black, Hispanic, and multiracial respondents reported discrimination. About 45 percent of all respondents reported holding back from communicating questions or concerns with their provider.

“Health professionals interacting with patients at all points of maternity care play a role in improving patient experiences during maternity care and providing respectful maternity care equitably,” the authors write.

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