Analysis of risk factors for obstetric violence in Brazil: a integrative review of the literature

Abstract

Introduction: Obstetric violence remains a recurring practice in health services, compromising women's experiences during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. It manifests through negligence, verbal and physical abuse, non-consensual interventions, and dehumanized practices, strongly associated with social, ethnic-racial, and gender inequalities. Objective: To analyze the risk factors associated with obstetric violence, its prevalence, and the physical, emotional, and social consequences for women. Methods: Integrative literature review conducted in the SciELO, LILACS, BDENF, MedLine, and PubMed databases, covering the period from 2019 to 2024. The descriptors used included “obstetric violence,” “risk factors,” and “childbirth care.” Original studies addressing the topic with well-defined inclusion criteria were selected. Results: The analysis identified a high frequency of disrespectful practices, such as procedures performed without consent, inadequate communication, denial of pain relief, and restriction of companions. The main risk factors found were: youth, low educational level, belonging to vulnerable ethnic-racial groups, unfavorable socioeconomic conditions, and lack of institutional policies focused on humanized care. Conclusion: The persistence of obstetric violence reveals structural and cultural failures in health services. Addressing this phenomenon requires training of multidisciplinary teams, institutional practice review, and strengthening of public policies that ensure respect, autonomy, and welcoming care for women throughout the pregnancy-puerperal cycle.