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Midwifery Students’ Perceptions of Obstetric Violence: A Cross-Sectional Study in Türkiye

Year 2026, Volume: 7 Issue: 1, 40 - 46, 30.01.2026

Abstract

Purpose: To determine midwifery students’ perceptions of obstetric violence and related factors.
Material and Methods: This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted at a state university in western Türkiye with 119 midwifery students in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th years. Data were collected between February 10 and March 10, 2025, using a Personal Information Form and the Obstetric Violence Perception Scale (OVPS). The scale demonstrated high reliability (Cronbach’s alpha=0.88). Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, independent t-test, one-way ANOVA with Tukey HSD, and Pearson correlation analysis.
Results: The mean OVPS score was 99.61 ± 14.11, indicating above-moderate perception levels. Significant differences were found according to grade level (p=0.018), witnessing at least one birth (p=0.009), and belief that women are treated differently according to their economic status (p=0.044). Younger students showed higher perception scores (r=-0.283, p=0.002).
Conclusion: Midwifery students’ perceptions of obstetric violence were above moderate levels and influenced by sociodemographic and experiential factors. Educational programs should integrate respectful maternity care, human rights, and trauma-informed approaches to strengthen students’ awareness and reduce obstetric violence in future clinical practice.
Keywords: Education, Midwifery students, Obstetric violence, Perceptions, Türkiye

Ethical Statement

Approved by [University Research Ethics Committee] (Approval No: 2024/125).

Supporting Institution

This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Thanks

We thank the students who participated in this study.

References

  • Arias Fuentes, F. F., Arteaga, E., & San Sebastián, M. (2022). Social inequalities in women exposed to obstetric and gyneco-obstetric violence in Ecuador: A cross-sectional study. BMC Women’s Health, 22(1), 419. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-022-01998-2
  • Asci, O., & Bal, M. D. (2023). The prevalence of obstetric violence experienced by women during childbirth care and its associated factors in Türkiye: A cross-sectional study. Midwifery, 124, 103766. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2023.103766
  • Bailey, J. E., Gurgol, C., Pan, E., et al. (2021). Early patientcentered outcomes research experience with the use of telehealth to address disparities: Scoping review. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 23(12), e28503. https://doi.org/10.2196/28503
  • Bal, S., Koç, E., & Öztürk, O. (2022). Investigating the relationship between midwifery students’ view on traditional/complementary medicine and health perception: A descriptive study. Nursing and Health Sciences Journal, 2(3), 203–210. https://doi.org/10.53713/nhs.v2i3.149
  • Bohren, M. A., Vogel, J. P., Hunter, E. C., Lutsiv, O., Makh, S. K., Souza, J. P., Aguiar, C., Coneglian, F. S., Araújo Diniz, A. L., Tunçalp, Ö., … Gülmezoglu, A. M. (2015). The mistreatment of women during childbirth in health facilities globally: A mixed-methods systematic review. PLOS Medicine, 12(6), e1001847. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1001847
  • Chervenak, F. A., McLeod-Sordjan, R., Pollet, S. L., De Four Jones, M., Gordon, M. R., Combs, A., Bornstein, E., Lewis, D., Katz, A., Warman, A., & Grünebaum, A. (2024). Obstetric violence is a misnomer. American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, 230(3), S1138– S1145. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2023.10.003
  • Dağlar, Ö. Ş., & Acar, Z. (2024). Obstetric violence from the perspectives of midwifery and nursing students. GÜSBD, 13(3), 1099–1111.
  • Di Giacomo, P., Cavallo, A., Bagnasco, A., Sartini, M., & Sasso, L. (2017). Violence against women: Knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of nurses and midwives. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 26(15–16), 2382–2390. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.13616
  • Doubova, S. V., Martinez-Vega, I. P., Infante-Castañeda, C., Aranda-Flores, C. E., Knaul, F. M., & Pérez-Cuevas, R. (2021). Social inequalities in supportive care needs and quality of patient-centered care of cancer patients in Mexico. Supportive Care in Cancer, 29, 1355–1367. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-020-05617-w
  • Erbil, E., Akın-Yamak, Ö., & Boyraz-Yanık, H. G. (2025). The relationship between nursing students’ perception of obstetric violence, pre-pregnancy fear of childbirth, and moral sensitivity: A cross-sectional study. Depression and Anxiety, 2025, 4843962. https://doi.org/10.1155/da/4843962
  • Ferrão, A. C. C., Sim-Sim, M., de Almeida, V. S. R., Bilro, P. C. V., & Zangão, M. O. B. (2025). Analysis of the concept of obstetric violence: A combination of scoping review and Rodgers conceptual analysis methodologies. Sci, 7, 97. https://doi.org/10.3390/sci7030097
  • Garrido, A. B., Birigidi, S., & Mena-Tudela, D. (2023). Percepción de estudiantes de ciencias de la salud sobre la violencia obstétrica: Perception of health sciences and feminist medicine students about obstetric violence. Enfermería Clínica, 33(3), 234–243. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enfcli.2022.05.006
  • Gökçek, A. İ., Beyazgül, S., & Günaydın, S. (2025). Ebelerin obstetrik şiddete yönelik bilgilerinin incelenmesi: Kesitsel bir çalışma. Atlas Journal of Medicine, 5(12), 50–57. https://doi.org/10.54270/atljm.2025.74
  • Gönenç, İ. M., Yılmaz Sezer, N., & Topuz, Ş. (2023, September). Öğrencilerde Obstetrik Şiddet Algısı Ölçeği’nin Türkçeye uyarlanması. 6. Uluslararası, 7. Ulusal Ebelik Kongresi, Ankara, Türkiye. Oral presentation.
  • Hakimi, S., Allahqoli, L., Alizadeh, M., Ozdemir, M., Soori, H., Çeber-Tufan, E., Soğukpınar, N., & Alkatout, İ. (2025). Global prevalence and risk factors of obstetric violence: A systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics, 169, 1012–1024. https://doi.org/10.1002/ijgo.15730
  • Küçük, E., Yeşilçiçek, K., & Çınar-Çalık, S. (2025). Assessing nursing students' perceptions of obstetric violence: A cross-sectional study. Nurse Education Today, 152, 106757. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2025.106757
  • Küçükkaya, B. (2025). Hemşirelik öğrencilerinin obstetrik şiddet algıları ile şiddete yönelik tutumları arasındaki ilişki: Kesitsel bir çalışma. Sağlık Bilimleri ve Araştırmaları Dergisi, 7(1), 209–221. https://doi.org/10.46413/boneyusbad.1525879
  • Lansky, S., Souza, K. V. D., Peixoto, M., Oliveira, B. J., Diniz, G., & Vieira, N. F. (2019). Obstetric violence: Influences of the senses of birth exhibition in pregnant women childbirth experience. Ciência & Saúde Coletiva, 24, 2811–2824. https://doi.org/10.1590/1413- 81232018248.30102017
  • Mohamoud, Y. A., Cassidy, E., Fuchs, E., Womack, L. S., Romero, L., Kipling, L., Oza-Frank, R., Baca, K., Galang, R. R., Stewart, A., Carrigan, S., Mullen, J., Busacker, A., Behm, B., Hollier, L. M., … Cox, S. (2023). Vital Signs: Maternity Care Experiences — United States, April 2023. MMWR Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 72(35), 961–967. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7235e1
  • Martínez-Galiano, J. M., Martinez-Vazquez, S., Rodríguez- Almagro, J., & Hernández-Martinez, A. (2021). The magnitude of the problem of obstetric violence and its associated factors: A cross-sectional study. Women and Birth, 34(5), e526–e536. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2020.10.002
  • Martínez-Galiano, J. M., Rodríguez-Almagro, J., RubioÁlvarez, A., Ortiz-Esquinas, I., Ballesta-Castillejos, A., & Hernández-Martínez, A. (2023). Obstetric violence from a midwife perspective. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(6), 4930. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20064930
  • Mena-Tudela, D., Cervera-Gasch, A., Andreu-Pejo, L., Alemany Anchel, M. J., Valero-Chilleron, M. J., Peris- Ferrando, E., Mahiques-Llopis, J. M., & Chorda- Gonzales, V. M. (2022). Perception of obstetric violence in a sample of Spanish health sciences students: A cross-sectional study. Nurse Education Today, 110, 105266. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2021.105266
  • Molla, W., Wudneh, A., & Tilahun, R. (2022). Obstetric violence and associated factors among women during facility based childbirth at Gedeo Zone, South Ethiopia. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 22(1), 565. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-022-04895-6
  • Van der Pijl, M. S., Verhoeven, C. J., Verweij, R., van der Linden, T., Kingma, E., Hollander, M. H., & De Jonge, A. (2022). Disrespect and abuse during labour and birth amongst 12,239 women in the Netherlands: A national survey. Reproductive Health, 19(1), 160. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-022-01460-4
  • World Health Organization. (2014). The prevention and elimination of disrespect and abuse during facilitybased childbirth (Report No: WHO/RHR/14.23). World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-RHR- 14.23
  • Yalley, A. A., Abioye, D., Appiah, S. C. Y., & Hoeffler, A. (2023). Abuse and humiliation in the delivery room: Prevalence and associated factors of obstetric violence in Ghana. Frontiers in Public Health, 11, 988961. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.988961

Ebelik Öğrencilerinin Obstetrik Şiddet Algıları: Türkiye’de Yapılan Kesitsel Bir Çalışma

Year 2026, Volume: 7 Issue: 1, 40 - 46, 30.01.2026

Abstract

Amaç: Ebelik öğrencilerinin obstetrik şiddet algılarını ve ilişkili faktörleri belirlemek.

Gereç ve Yöntem: Bu tanımlayıcı ve kesitsel araştırma, Türkiye’nin batısında yer alan bir devlet üniversitesinde, 2., 3. ve 4. sınıfta öğrenim gören 119 ebelik öğrencisi ile yürütülmüştür. Veriler 10 Şubat–10 Mart 2025 tarihleri arasında Kişisel Bilgi Formu ve Obstetrik Şiddet Algısı Ölçeği (OVPS) kullanılarak toplanmıştır. Ölçek yüksek güvenirlik göstermiştir (Cronbach alfa=0.88). Verilerin analizinde tanımlayıcı istatistikler, bağımsız örneklem t-testi, tek yönlü varyans analizi (ANOVA) ve Tukey HSD post-hoc testi ile Pearson korelasyon analizi kullanılmıştır.

Bulgular: Ortalama OVPS puanı 99.61 ± 14.11 olup, öğrencilerin obstetrik şiddet algılarının orta düzeyin üzerinde olduğunu göstermektedir. Sınıf düzeyine (p=0.018), en az bir doğuma tanıklık etme durumuna (p=0.009) ve kadınların ekonomik durumlarına göre farklı muamele gördüklerine inanma değişkenine (p=0.044) göre anlamlı farklar saptanmıştır. Daha genç öğrencilerin algı puanları daha yüksek bulunmuştur (r=-0.283, p=0.002).

Sonuç: Ebelik öğrencilerinin obstetrik şiddet algıları orta düzeyin üzerindedir ve sosyodemografik ile deneyimsel faktörlerden etkilenmektedir. Eğitim programlarına saygılı doğum bakımı, insan hakları ve travma bilgisi temelli yaklaşımların entegrasyonu, öğrencilerin farkındalığını güçlendirerek gelecekte obstetrik şiddetin azaltılmasına katkı sağlayabilir.

Ethical Statement

[Üniversite Araştırma Etik Kurulu] tarafından onaylanmıştır (Onay No: 2024/125).

Supporting Institution

Bu araştırma kamu, ticari veya kâr amacı gütmeyen sektörlerde herhangi bir finansman kuruluşundan özel bir destek almamıştır.

Thanks

Bu çalışmaya katılan öğrencilere teşekkür ederiz.

References

  • Arias Fuentes, F. F., Arteaga, E., & San Sebastián, M. (2022). Social inequalities in women exposed to obstetric and gyneco-obstetric violence in Ecuador: A cross-sectional study. BMC Women’s Health, 22(1), 419. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-022-01998-2
  • Asci, O., & Bal, M. D. (2023). The prevalence of obstetric violence experienced by women during childbirth care and its associated factors in Türkiye: A cross-sectional study. Midwifery, 124, 103766. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2023.103766
  • Bailey, J. E., Gurgol, C., Pan, E., et al. (2021). Early patientcentered outcomes research experience with the use of telehealth to address disparities: Scoping review. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 23(12), e28503. https://doi.org/10.2196/28503
  • Bal, S., Koç, E., & Öztürk, O. (2022). Investigating the relationship between midwifery students’ view on traditional/complementary medicine and health perception: A descriptive study. Nursing and Health Sciences Journal, 2(3), 203–210. https://doi.org/10.53713/nhs.v2i3.149
  • Bohren, M. A., Vogel, J. P., Hunter, E. C., Lutsiv, O., Makh, S. K., Souza, J. P., Aguiar, C., Coneglian, F. S., Araújo Diniz, A. L., Tunçalp, Ö., … Gülmezoglu, A. M. (2015). The mistreatment of women during childbirth in health facilities globally: A mixed-methods systematic review. PLOS Medicine, 12(6), e1001847. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1001847
  • Chervenak, F. A., McLeod-Sordjan, R., Pollet, S. L., De Four Jones, M., Gordon, M. R., Combs, A., Bornstein, E., Lewis, D., Katz, A., Warman, A., & Grünebaum, A. (2024). Obstetric violence is a misnomer. American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, 230(3), S1138– S1145. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2023.10.003
  • Dağlar, Ö. Ş., & Acar, Z. (2024). Obstetric violence from the perspectives of midwifery and nursing students. GÜSBD, 13(3), 1099–1111.
  • Di Giacomo, P., Cavallo, A., Bagnasco, A., Sartini, M., & Sasso, L. (2017). Violence against women: Knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of nurses and midwives. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 26(15–16), 2382–2390. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.13616
  • Doubova, S. V., Martinez-Vega, I. P., Infante-Castañeda, C., Aranda-Flores, C. E., Knaul, F. M., & Pérez-Cuevas, R. (2021). Social inequalities in supportive care needs and quality of patient-centered care of cancer patients in Mexico. Supportive Care in Cancer, 29, 1355–1367. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-020-05617-w
  • Erbil, E., Akın-Yamak, Ö., & Boyraz-Yanık, H. G. (2025). The relationship between nursing students’ perception of obstetric violence, pre-pregnancy fear of childbirth, and moral sensitivity: A cross-sectional study. Depression and Anxiety, 2025, 4843962. https://doi.org/10.1155/da/4843962
  • Ferrão, A. C. C., Sim-Sim, M., de Almeida, V. S. R., Bilro, P. C. V., & Zangão, M. O. B. (2025). Analysis of the concept of obstetric violence: A combination of scoping review and Rodgers conceptual analysis methodologies. Sci, 7, 97. https://doi.org/10.3390/sci7030097
  • Garrido, A. B., Birigidi, S., & Mena-Tudela, D. (2023). Percepción de estudiantes de ciencias de la salud sobre la violencia obstétrica: Perception of health sciences and feminist medicine students about obstetric violence. Enfermería Clínica, 33(3), 234–243. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enfcli.2022.05.006
  • Gökçek, A. İ., Beyazgül, S., & Günaydın, S. (2025). Ebelerin obstetrik şiddete yönelik bilgilerinin incelenmesi: Kesitsel bir çalışma. Atlas Journal of Medicine, 5(12), 50–57. https://doi.org/10.54270/atljm.2025.74
  • Gönenç, İ. M., Yılmaz Sezer, N., & Topuz, Ş. (2023, September). Öğrencilerde Obstetrik Şiddet Algısı Ölçeği’nin Türkçeye uyarlanması. 6. Uluslararası, 7. Ulusal Ebelik Kongresi, Ankara, Türkiye. Oral presentation.
  • Hakimi, S., Allahqoli, L., Alizadeh, M., Ozdemir, M., Soori, H., Çeber-Tufan, E., Soğukpınar, N., & Alkatout, İ. (2025). Global prevalence and risk factors of obstetric violence: A systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics, 169, 1012–1024. https://doi.org/10.1002/ijgo.15730
  • Küçük, E., Yeşilçiçek, K., & Çınar-Çalık, S. (2025). Assessing nursing students' perceptions of obstetric violence: A cross-sectional study. Nurse Education Today, 152, 106757. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2025.106757
  • Küçükkaya, B. (2025). Hemşirelik öğrencilerinin obstetrik şiddet algıları ile şiddete yönelik tutumları arasındaki ilişki: Kesitsel bir çalışma. Sağlık Bilimleri ve Araştırmaları Dergisi, 7(1), 209–221. https://doi.org/10.46413/boneyusbad.1525879
  • Lansky, S., Souza, K. V. D., Peixoto, M., Oliveira, B. J., Diniz, G., & Vieira, N. F. (2019). Obstetric violence: Influences of the senses of birth exhibition in pregnant women childbirth experience. Ciência & Saúde Coletiva, 24, 2811–2824. https://doi.org/10.1590/1413- 81232018248.30102017
  • Mohamoud, Y. A., Cassidy, E., Fuchs, E., Womack, L. S., Romero, L., Kipling, L., Oza-Frank, R., Baca, K., Galang, R. R., Stewart, A., Carrigan, S., Mullen, J., Busacker, A., Behm, B., Hollier, L. M., … Cox, S. (2023). Vital Signs: Maternity Care Experiences — United States, April 2023. MMWR Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 72(35), 961–967. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7235e1
  • Martínez-Galiano, J. M., Martinez-Vazquez, S., Rodríguez- Almagro, J., & Hernández-Martinez, A. (2021). The magnitude of the problem of obstetric violence and its associated factors: A cross-sectional study. Women and Birth, 34(5), e526–e536. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2020.10.002
  • Martínez-Galiano, J. M., Rodríguez-Almagro, J., RubioÁlvarez, A., Ortiz-Esquinas, I., Ballesta-Castillejos, A., & Hernández-Martínez, A. (2023). Obstetric violence from a midwife perspective. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(6), 4930. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20064930
  • Mena-Tudela, D., Cervera-Gasch, A., Andreu-Pejo, L., Alemany Anchel, M. J., Valero-Chilleron, M. J., Peris- Ferrando, E., Mahiques-Llopis, J. M., & Chorda- Gonzales, V. M. (2022). Perception of obstetric violence in a sample of Spanish health sciences students: A cross-sectional study. Nurse Education Today, 110, 105266. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2021.105266
  • Molla, W., Wudneh, A., & Tilahun, R. (2022). Obstetric violence and associated factors among women during facility based childbirth at Gedeo Zone, South Ethiopia. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 22(1), 565. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-022-04895-6
  • Van der Pijl, M. S., Verhoeven, C. J., Verweij, R., van der Linden, T., Kingma, E., Hollander, M. H., & De Jonge, A. (2022). Disrespect and abuse during labour and birth amongst 12,239 women in the Netherlands: A national survey. Reproductive Health, 19(1), 160. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-022-01460-4
  • World Health Organization. (2014). The prevention and elimination of disrespect and abuse during facilitybased childbirth (Report No: WHO/RHR/14.23). World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-RHR- 14.23
  • Yalley, A. A., Abioye, D., Appiah, S. C. Y., & Hoeffler, A. (2023). Abuse and humiliation in the delivery room: Prevalence and associated factors of obstetric violence in Ghana. Frontiers in Public Health, 11, 988961. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.988961
There are 26 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Primary Health Care
Journal Section Research Article
Authors

Özlem Doğan Yüksekol 0000-0002-1761-1479

Nazlı Baltacı 0000-0001-8582-6300

Özlem Koç 0000-0002-6751-1206

Submission Date October 14, 2025
Acceptance Date January 18, 2026
Publication Date January 30, 2026
Published in Issue Year 2026 Volume: 7 Issue: 1

Cite

APA Doğan Yüksekol, Ö., Baltacı, N., & Koç, Ö. (2026). Midwifery Students’ Perceptions of Obstetric Violence: A Cross-Sectional Study in Türkiye. Turkish Journal of Science and Health, 7(1), 40-46. https://doi.org/10.51972/tfsd.1803279


Turkish Journal of Science and Health (TFSD) 

E-mail:  tfsdjournal@gmail.com

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