Obstetric Care Providers’ Practices and Associated Factors Towards Birth Companionship in Public Hospitals of South Gondar zone, Northwest Ethiopia, 2025
Rahel Birhanu Arage, Begizew Yimenu Mekuriaw, Habtam Desse Alemayhu, Mahider Shimelis Feyisa, Wassie Yazie Ferede, Besfat Berihun EregaObjectives
The study aimed to assess obstetric care providers’ practices and associated factors towards birth companionship in public hospitals of South Gondar zone, North West Ethiopia, 2025.
Methods
An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from January 01 to February 28, 2025 among obstetric care providers working in 10 public hospitals of South Gondar zone, North West, Ethiopia. A census of 218 participants was conducted. Data were collected using a structured, self-administered questionnaire. The data were entered into EpiData version 4.6 and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science version 27. Descriptive statistics were computed, and both bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed, and statistical significance was declared at P< 0.05. Ethical clearance was obtained and informed consent was secured from all the participants.
Results
A total of 211 respondents participated in the study, making the response rate 96.7%, of these the prevalence of birth companionship practice among obstetric care providers was 16.59% (95% CI, 11.6-21.6). Obstetric care providers who had received training on Compassionate and Respectful care, Respectful Maternity Care, Basic Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care were 1.55 times (AOR: 1.55; 95%CI: 1.09- 2.21) more likely to practice companion presence during childbirth. Additionally, health professionals working in facilities equipped with privacy measures between delivery couches were 1.48 more likely to permit companion presence during childbirth (AOR1.95; 95%CI: 1.08-2.02).
Conclusion
Birth companionship remains poorly practiced among obstetric care providers in South Gondar zone public hospitals, pointing deep rooted gap between the existing policies and the implementation. Training on respectful maternity care and presence of privacy measures emerged as key factors shaping provider practice. Strengthening policy enforcement, embedding companionship with provider training programs and ensuring adequate privacy infrastructures in labor wards are essential steps forward to encourage of practice.