Comparative Analysis of Birth Rights Associated Factors in Quality of Maternal Care in Healthcare Facilities in Italy, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland

Objectives* The role of birth rights in the human rights-based approach of healthcare and maternal care services is becoming more topical and it is important to conduct research in medical services and health systems in healthcare facilities to identify areas for improvement. The aim of this work is to compare birth rights associated factors in quality of maternal care in healthcare facilities in Italy, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland. Materials and Methods This study presents a comparative analysis of birth rights associated factors influencing the quality of maternal care across healthcare facilities in Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland. This research is part of the IMAgiNE EURO study, focusing on women’s experiences during childbirth. A total of 21,221 responses (18,190 from Italy, 889-Latvia, 850-Lithuania, and 1,292-Poland) were captured through a validated questionnaire and analyzed from women aged 18 and older who gave birth between January 2022 and December 2023. Results The results highlight statistically significant differences in maternal care experiences across the four countries.For instance, 77.1% of respondents from Latvia and 78.2% from Lithuania reported always receiving immediate attention, compared to 60.5% from Italy. Communication effectiveness was rated highest in Latvia(72.7%) and lowest in Italy(59.2%)(p<0.001). 86.1% in Latvia and 86.5% in Lithuania felt their companion of choice was allowed to stay with them,whilst only 45.3% in Italy(p<0.001). The emotional support varied minimally among the countries, with Latvia at 69.6% and Italy-67.0%(p=0.014). Treatment with dignity was reported by 68.1% in Italy to 80.5% in Lithuania. Women indicating any form of abuse during childbirth were highest in Italy and Latvia with rate of 3.3%. Conclusions Our findings highlight the necessity for comprehensive policy interventions to standardize maternal care practices. By improving immediate care responsiveness, communication, and the treatment of women during childbirth, healthcare systems can enhance the quality of maternal care and uphold the birth rights of all women.