Level and correlates of disrespect and abuse among newborns in selected public hospitals of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Background The provision of respectful and dignified maternal and newborn care is an important component of the quality of childbirth care. Although a growing body of evidence was generated on disrespect and abuse (D&A) of women during childbirth in the past decade there is limited evidence on D&A experienced by newborns. Our study aimed to determine the level of and factors associated with D&A among newborns. Methods We conducted the study in three public hospitals in Addis Ababa. We directly observed childbirth care starting from the first stage of labor through two hours after the birth of 498 mother–baby dyads. We used frequencies and percentages to describe different forms of D&A among newborns. We used binary and multivariable logistic regression analysis to assess the association between the D&A among newborns and independent variables. Result All of the newborns 496/496 (100%) experienced at least one form of D&A. Physical abuse was experienced by 41.1% of newborns in the form of unnecessary airway suctioning (23.2%) or slapping or holding upside down (33.5%). Additionally, 42.3% weren’t dried immediately after birth, 9.1% weren’t placed on the mother’s abdomen skin-to-skin, 61.7% had their cord cut before 1 min of birth, 34.9% weren’t breastfed within an hour of birth, 24.2% didn’t receive vitamin K and 1.8% didn’t receive tetracycline. All newborns who developed complications (69/69) received treatments without the consent of parents/caregivers. Moreover, 93.6% of parents/caregivers didn’t receive explanations regarding newborn care while the lack of breastfeeding counseling and thermal support during the immediate post-partum period was 87.3%. The likelihood of D&A was higher among newborns who were preterm (AOR = 2.02; 95% CI: 1.11–3.69), female (AOR = 2.01; 95% CI: 1.37–2.95), delivered assisted by instrument (AOR = 2.19; 95%CI: 1.20–3.99), whose mothers reside in rural areas (AOR = 1.97; 95%CI: 1.22–3.20), born from unmarried mothers (AOR = 2.77; 95%CI (1.26–6.06) and whose mothers received fewer than four-time antenatal care (ANC) visits (AOR = 2.37; 95%CI: 1.42–3.96). Conclusion Our study found a high magnitude D&A among newborns. Gestational age at birth, sex of the newborn, maternal residence, maternal marital status, number of ANC visits, and mode of delivery were statistically significantly associated with D&A among newborns.