Sociodemographic and Perinatal Correlates of Perceived Obstetric Violence in Spain: A Cross-Sectional Study Informed by an Intersectional Framework

Background/Objectives: The aim of this study is to analyse the association between sociodemographic and obstetric characteristics and perceived or suspected obstetric violence in Spain, informed by an intersectional framework. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a non-probabilistic online survey of women who gave birth in Spain between March 2020 and April 2021. “Yes” and “do not know” responses were combined as perceived or suspected obstetric violence. Descriptive and bivariate analyses (chi-squared and Fisher’s exact tests) were followed by a multivariable binary logistic regression including, a priori, age, occupation, educational level, social class, ethnicity, type of birth, type of healthcare and autonomous community. Results: Of 6060 women, 33.5% (n = 2030) reported or suspected obstetric violence. In the adjusted model (n = 5978; Nagelkerke R2 = 0.071), the outcome was associated with all variables except social class. Odds were higher after urgent caesarean section (aOR = 2.16) and instrumental birth (aOR = 2.76) than after vaginal birth, and lower in private than in public healthcare (aOR = 0.67). Estimates for ethnic minorities were very imprecise because of the small size of these groups. Conclusions: Perceived or suspected obstetric violence was associated with several sociodemographic, obstetric and healthcare characteristics, most strongly with type of birth, although the explanatory capacity of the model was low. These findings support reviewing interventionist obstetric practices and using sampling strategies that include minority groups.