# Perspectives on midwife-led care as a solution to reduce obstetric violence in health facilities in Ghana

## TL;DR

Midwife-led care can reduce obstetric violence and improve maternal health outcomes in Ghana by promoting a more respectful and supportive birthing environment.

## Contribution

The paper proposes midwife-led care as a feasible solution to reduce obstetric violence and improve maternal health in Ghana.

## Key findings

- Midwife-led care emphasizes a bio-psycho-social approach that supports women's autonomy and comfort.
- Scaling up midwife-led care requires training in humanized care and stakeholder engagement.
- Evidence from multiple countries shows midwife-led care is effective in improving maternal health outcomes.

## Abstract

Ghana's maternal mortality rate is substantially higher, well above the global target of 70 per 100,000 births. Despite high antenatal care attendance, less than seventy per cent of births are attended by skilled personnel, with some women opting for home births with unskilled attendants due to obstetric violence. Obstetric violence and the abuse inflicted by healthcare workers on pregnant women during childbirth deter women from facility-based births and exacerbate maternal mortality.

To explore how implementing midwife-led care can mitigate obstetric violence and enhance maternal health outcomes in Ghana through a literature-informed perspective.

Existing evidence was drawn from primary and secondary sources, including the World Health Organisation and the International Confederation of Midwives. Literature was synthesised to identify common patterns across studies.

Implementing midwife-led care, which emphasises a bio-psycho-social approach and supports women's autonomy and comfort, can mitigate obstetric violence and enhance maternal health outcomes. Scaling up midwife-led primary care and providing training in humanised care at health facility levels are essential steps toward this goal.

Midwife-led care is a valid and evidence-based approach, proven effective in multiple countries. Implementation is feasible in Ghana but requires system readiness and stakeholder engagement.