Midwifery Students’ Perceptions of Obstetric Violence: A Cross-Sectional Study in Türkiye
Yıl 2026,
Cilt: 7 Sayı: 1, 40 - 46, 30.01.2026
Özlem Doğan Yüksekol
,
Nazlı Baltacı
,
Özlem Koç
Öz
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
Etik Beyan
Approved by [University Research Ethics Committee] (Approval No: 2024/125).
Destekleyen Kurum
This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.
Teşekkür
We thank the students who participated in this study.
Kaynakça
-
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
Yıl 2026,
Cilt: 7 Sayı: 1, 40 - 46, 30.01.2026
Özlem Doğan Yüksekol
,
Nazlı Baltacı
,
Özlem Koç
Öz
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.
Etik Beyan
[Üniversite Araştırma Etik Kurulu] tarafından onaylanmıştır (Onay No: 2024/125).
Destekleyen Kurum
Bu araştırma kamu, ticari veya kâr amacı gütmeyen sektörlerde herhangi bir finansman kuruluşundan özel bir destek almamıştır.
Teşekkür
Bu çalışmaya katılan öğrencilere teşekkür ederiz.
Kaynakça
-
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