Respectful Maternity Care: Women’s Experiences and Outlooks in Eastern Europe and Central Asia report examines the prevalence of obstetric mistreatment across the 16 countries including Turkmenistan. It revealed that two-thirds of respondents experienced some form of abuse or non-consensual medical intervention during childbirth. Younger, less educated, and economically vulnerable women were at a higher risk of facing these dignity violations. Only 11 women from Turkmenistan participated in the survey, which made it hard to accurately reflect the experiences of all women across the entire country. Nevertheless, specific clusters of mistreatment were mapped for the surveyed women including:
- Poor interaction with healthcare staff – 55%;
- Obstetric procedures without consent – 46%;
- Verbal abuse – 37%;
- Sexual abuse – 10%;
- Low-quality care – 9%;
- Discrimination and stigma – 9%.
The reports highlighted several challenges and systemic issues relevant to the region, including Turkmenistan:
- Small Sample Representation: The number of respondents from Turkmenistan fell below the minimum required threshold for representative weighting. Consequently, findings for Turkmenistan are indicative rather than conclusive and should be interpreted as a catalyst for more comprehensive local research.
- Prevalence of Verbal Abuse and Poor Interaction: Among the surveyed women in Turkmenistan, verbal abuse (37%) and poor interaction with healthcare staff (55%) were significantly reported issues. Poor interaction often includes a lack of clear information regarding medical procedures or the exclusion of a chosen support person.
- Non-Consensual Procedures: Nearly half of the respondents (46%) experienced obstetric procedures (e.g., Kristeller maneuver, episiotomy, the use of oxytocin) performed without their informed consent, which carries significant physical and psychological risks. Requiring consent is a matter of fundamental human rights and medical ethics, and is mandated by global health bodies like WHO.
- Awareness Gaps: Generally, in Central Asian countries, awareness of the term “obstetric violence” is lower than in Eastern Europe due to cultural and social norms. While Turkmenistan was not singled out in this specific metric, it was grouped under “Other” countries where 43.9% of women were unfamiliar with the term.
As the report suggests, respectful maternity care is a fundamental human right. Countries, including Turkmenistan should prioritize patient-centered reforms, better healthcare provider training, and the establishment of robust accountability mechanisms to ensure safe and dignified birth experiences.
