Women's perceptions of changes following the intervention on the prevention of mistreatment in gynecology and obstetrics in Guinea.

CONTEXT: The mistreatment of women in gynecology and obstetrics is practiced in all regions of the world. Studies conducted in Guinea have reported compelling evidence of this practice in gynecology and obstetrics services within health facilities. A prevention and response programme against this mistreatment was initiated and implemented in different regions of the country. The intervention for the prevention and struggle against this mistreatment in gynecology and obstetrics focused on raising awareness among women in the community through community health workers and community relays who received training for this purpose.

PURPOSE: This study aims to determine the changes adopted after the implementation of the intervention by comparing the perceptions of women in the community before and after the intervention.

METHODS

This was a qualitative study conducted before and after the intervention to assess the changes perceived by women in the community. A purposive sample of 30 women before and 30 after the intervention was used. Community health workers and community relays, who also live and work within the community, identified and selected participants who met the criteria. Data were collected through in-depth individual interviews (IDIs) with 60 women of reproductive age in the community and analyzed using a thematic approach. Community awareness-raising for the prevention of mistreatment was carried out by community health workers and community relays.

RESULTS

The women in the community mostly reported a reduction in the frequency of mistreatment in gynecology and obstetrics, especially physical violence. However, according to some women, verbal violence and other forms of mistreatment persist.

CONCLUSION

This intervention has shown signs of improvement in preventing and combating physical violence, but structural and relational forms of violence persist.