OBSTETRIC VIOLENCE: PERCEPTIONS ABOUT OBSTETRIC VIOLENCE BY A POPULATION SAMPLE IN THE FAR SOUTH OF BAHIA

Abstract

Obstetric violence (OV) is a reality for many Brazilian women and can have negative effects on their quality of life, self-esteem, and maternal and sexual experiences, even triggering lasting trauma for victims. The lack of knowledge about the subject ends up normalizing some aggressive behaviors in the pre-partum, birth, and postpartum periods. Since academic environments are conducive to debate and teaching multidisciplinary experiences, the following question arises in this context: What is the level of knowledge and perceptions of mothers who are students of the Faculty of Applied Social Sciences (FACISA) regarding obstetric violence? The general objective of this study was to collect data on the level of knowledge of student mothers about obstetric violence. The specific objectives were: to identify the sociodemographic profile of students; to analyze experiences and perceptions about obstetric violence and its practices; and to list the impact of obstetric violence on women's lives. To this end, this study was a quantitative and qualitative exploratory field study of a basic nature that took place in the city of Itamaraju, in the extreme south of Bahia, in 2024, with data obtained through the application of a structured questionnaire to 32 students who had experienced motherhood. It was observed that the students, having mostly experienced childbirth in the public system, obtained results indicate that students identify that obstetric violence can be manifested both physically and psychologically; however, they do not recognize certain practices as a violation of the rights of the pregnant woman. In addition, they recognize that the lack of knowledge of the parturient is an element of vulnerability in relation to obstetric violence, highlighting the repercussions of the phenomenon on the life of the woman. And the perceptions of the nurses glimpse the need for preventive strategies for the occurrence of the phenomenon of obstetric violence.