Healthcare staff knowledge and maternal perception of humanized childbirth care at the primary care level
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70577/rz770h41Keywords:
humanized childbirth; knowledge; maternal perception; primary health care; quality of care; obstetric nursing.Abstract
Humanized childbirth is an approach to obstetric care centered on women’s dignity, autonomy, rights, and overall well-being. The objective was to determine the relationship between the level of knowledge, attitudes, and practices of health care personnel and mothers’ perceptions of humanized childbirth care at a Type C Health Center in Machala, Ecuador. A quantitative, descriptive-correlational, non-experimental, cross-sectional study was conducted. Thirty-seven health professionals participated via census sampling, along with 167 postpartum women selected by convenience sampling. Structured questionnaires were administered, and the data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Spearman’s rho. Eighty-three point eight percent of the professionals demonstrated high levels of knowledge, and 86.5% demonstrated high levels of attitudes and practices. Maternal perception was moderately favorable in 51.5% of cases and favorable in 48.5%; pain management and emotional support received the highest favorable rating (77.2%), while autonomy and freedom of movement received the lowest (41.3%). Significant positive correlations were identified between the professional variables and all dimensions of perception, with the strongest association found between attitudes and practices and pain management/emotional support (ρ=0.548; p<0.001). It is concluded that strengthening competencies and humanized practices promotes a more positive maternal experience.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Ashley Ariana Flores Güiña, Amelia Dayanara Gonzaga Alay, Elida Yesica Reyes Rueda (Autor/a)
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