Respectful Maternity Care: A Nigeria-focused Health Workers’ Training Guide

The concept of dignity in childbirth is essential for improving maternal outcomes and reducing maternal mortality. In Nigeria, maternal mortality ratio (MMR) remains a significant public health concern, with an estimated 814 deaths per 100,000 live births. The White Ribbon Alliance, in collaboration with the Health Policy Project, developed a training guide for healthcare workers to promote respectful maternity care (RMC) in Nigeria. The guide is designed to equip healthcare providers with the knowledge and skills necessary to deliver high-quality, respectful care to women during childbirth. The training program consists of 12 sessions, covering topics such as human rights and law, professional ethics, and values clarification and attitude transformation. The guide emphasizes the importance of human rights-based approach (HRBA) in promoting RMC. It highlights the need for healthcare providers to respect the autonomy, dignity, and rights of women during childbirth. The training program also focuses on the role of healthcare providers in preventing disrespect and abuse (D&A) during childbirth. The guide provides a comprehensive framework for promoting RMC in Nigeria. It includes a three-day training schedule for providers, a template for organizing the RMC workshop, and a list of consultation workshop participants. The guide also includes references to relevant literature and resources on RMC. The training program is designed to be implemented at the facility level, with a focus on improving the quality of care provided to women during childbirth. The program aims to promote a culture of respect and dignity in healthcare facilities, and to reduce the incidence of D&A during childbirth. The guide highlights the importance of community involvement in promoting RMC. It emphasizes the need for community-based initiatives to promote RMC and to support women's rights during childbirth. The guide also includes a section on the role of the community in promoting respectful facility-based childbirth. The training program is expected to have a positive impact on maternal health outcomes in Nigeria. By promoting RMC and reducing the incidence of D&A during childbirth, the program aims to reduce maternal mortality and improve the quality of care provided to women during childbirth. The program also aims to promote a culture of respect and dignity in healthcare facilities, and to support women's rights during childbirth.