Table 3 Mistreatment that women experienced during maternity care in health facilities of East Wollega Zone, Ethiopia, 2022 (n = 753)

Interpersonal abuse

Any physical abuse, verbal abuse, stigma, or discrimination

284(37.4%)

Physical abuse

Any physical abuse

207(27.2%)

Denial of pain relief while in health facility

142(18.7%)

Forceful abdominal downward pressure (fundal pressure)

77(10.1%)

Hit or slapped or pinching or pinched by materials

70(9.2%)

Gagged

20(2.6%)

Forcefully held down to the bed

12(1.6%)

Tied to the bed

3(0.4%)

Verbal abuse

Any verbal abuse

158(20.8%)

Shouted, screamed, insulted, scolded, mocked, hissed at

150(19.7%)

Negative comments

28(3.7%)

Threatened

15(2.0%)

Blamed

14(1.8%)

Stigma and discrimination

Any discrimination

36(4.7%)

Negative comments (educational status, age, tribe, language, or economic status…)

19(2.5%)

Felt discriminated

22(2.9%)

Held back from asking concerns

5(0.7%)

Failure to meet professional standard

Overall failure of professional standard of care

227(29.9%)

Lack of consented care

190(25.0%)

Lack of information

185(24.3%)

Lack privacy

31(4.1%)

Ignored or neglected

21(2.8%)

Non-confidential care

15(2.0%)

Felt nuisance

8(1.0%)

Poor rapport with health care providers

Overall poor rapport b/n health care providers and women

387(50.9%)

Lack of birth companion

329(43.3%)

Not allowed to move during labour

48(6.5)

Emotionally unsupported

29(3.8%)

Did not receive response for concerns /questions

17(2.2%)

My concerns were not heard

14(1.8%)

Not allowed to eat

6(0.8%)

Health system conditions and constrains

Overall health systems constrain

47(6.2%)

Lack of bed during PNC

39(5.3%)

Lack of bed during labour & birth

11(1.5%)

Bribe/asked for informal payment or gift

4(0.5%)

Ordered to clean up after oneself

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