Midwives’ Knowledge and Practices in Implementing Respectful Maternity Care in Antenatal Care: A Systematic Literature Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65310/k4w9mx30Keywords:
Respectful Maternity Care, Antenatal Care, Midwives, Knowledge, Practice.Abstract
This study aimed to systematically synthesize evidence regarding midwives’ knowledge and practices in implementing Respectful Maternity Care (RMC) within antenatal care (ANC) services. A non-empirical approach using a systematic literature review was conducted by analyzing peer-reviewed articles retrieved from major international databases, guided by the PICO framework and PRISMA protocol. The findings indicate that midwives generally demonstrate moderate levels of knowledge regarding RMC, yet this understanding does not consistently translate into respectful clinical practices. Variability in implementation is influenced by interpersonal competencies, professional values, and contextual constraints within healthcare systems. Evidence also reveals that structural determinants, including institutional policies, resource availability, and organizational culture, significantly shape the extent to which RMC principles are applied in routine care. Moreover, women’s preferences for more personalized and respectful services highlight the importance of relational dimensions in maternal healthcare. These findings underscore the need for integrated strategies that combine continuous professional education, ethical reinforcement, and systemic reform to ensure the consistent application of RMC. Strengthening these dimensions is essential for improving maternal care quality and advancing global maternal health outcomes.
Downloads
References
Abebe, A. H., & Mmusi-Phetoe, R. (2022). Respectful maternity care in health centers of Addis Ababa city: a mixed method study. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 22(1), 792. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-022-05129-5
Amalia, A. A., & Prasetya, P. A. C. (2025). Manajemen Asuhan Kebidanan Berkelanjutan (Continuity of Care) pada Ibu Hamil, Bersalin, Nifas, dan KB: Studi Kasus di PMB Siti Nur Azizah Sidoarjo. Jurnal Siti Rufaidah, 3(4), 346-358. https://doi.org/10.57214/jasira.v3i4.292
Basri, M., Nababan, D., & Manurung, J. (2022). Analisis Kualitatif Peran Petugas Kesehatan Terhadap Upaya Pengendalian Penyakit Hepatitis B Pada Ibu Hamil Di Wilayah Kabupaten Bener Meriah (Puskesmas Bukit, Puskesmas Panteraya Dan Puskesmas Lampahan) Tahun 2021. Journal Of Healthcare Technology And Medicine, 7(2), 1055-1076. https://doi.org/10.33143/jhtm.v7i2.1681
Boyraz Yanık, H. G., Akın, Ö., & Erbil, N. (2025). The relationship between professional values of nursing students and respectful maternity care: A descriptive and correlational study. Nurse Education in Practice, 82, 104244. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nepr.2024.104244
Citra Hadi Kurniati. (2020). Hubungan Antara Kualitas Bidan Dalam Pelayanan Antenatal Care Terhadap Persepsi Ibu Hamil. Infokes: Jurnal Ilmiah Rekam Medis Dan Informatika Kesehatan, 10(1), 36–40. https://doi.org/10.47701/infokes.v10i1.846
Dağlı, E., Aktaş Reyhan, F., Topkara, F. N., & Moridi, M. (2023). Turkish validity and reliability study of the “respectful maternity care” knowledge and practice scale of midwives. European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology: X, 19, 100222. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eurox.2023.100222
Devassy, D., & X., S. (2023). Knowledge on respectful maternity care among staff nurses: a descriptive survey. International Journal of Reproduction, Contraception, Obstetrics and Gynecology, 12(6 SE-Original Research Articles), 1824–1829. https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20231563
Dhakal, P., Newnham, E., Debra K Creedy, E., & Gamble, J. (2023). Upskilling nursing students in Nepal: Evaluation of an online education module for promoting respectful maternity care. Midwifery, 117, 103576. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2022.103576
Fatriani, R., & Risneni, R. (2023). Preferences among Pregnant Women in Choosing a Private Midwife Practice as Service Provider for Antenatal Care (ANC). Jurnal Kesehatan, 14(2), 277-286. https://doi.org/10.26630/jk.v14i2.3973
Ferede, Wassie Yazie, Gudayu, Temesgen Worku, Gessesse, Dereje Nibret, & Erega, Besfat Berihun. (2022). Respectful maternity care and associated factors among mothers who gave birth at public health institutions in South Gondar Zone, Northwest Ethiopia 2021. Women’s Health, 18, 17455057221116504. https://doi.org/10.1177/17455057221116505
Hill, C. M., Fantasia, H. C., & Burnette, S. (2024). Implementing a Respectful Maternity Care Guideline During Childbirth Experiences. Nursing for Women’s Health, 28(1), 50–57. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nwh.2023.09.006
Huang, J., Fu, L., Fu, Y., Creedy, D. K., Gamble, J., Da, Z., Yao, J., Li, J., & Wang, N. (2024). Exposure to disrespectful maternity care and perceptions of respectful maternity care among nursing and midwifery pre-registration students in China: A national cross-sectional study. Nurse Education in Practice, 78, 104026. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nepr.2024.104026
Juniarti, R. A., & Ahmad, N. F. F. (2026). Manajemen Penerapan Asuhan Sayang Ibu Dengan Proses Persalinan Normal Di Puskesmas Batua Raya Makassar 2025. Bunda Edu-Midwifery Journal (BEMJ), 9(1), 548-555. https://doi.org/10.54100/bemj.v9i1.740
Lanyo, T. N., Zielinski, R., Kukula, V. A., Apetorgbor, V. E., Ghosh, B., Lockhart, N. A., & Lori, J. R. (2025). Improving respectful maternity care through group antenatal care: Findings from a cluster randomized controlled trial. Midwifery, 147, 104457. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2025.104457
Millicent, D. V., Bemah, B. A., Emmanuel, N. K., Pascal, A., Jody, L. R., & Peter, D. (2019). Exploring midwives’ understanding of respectful and non-abusive maternal care in Kumasi, Ghana: qualitative inquiry. BioRxiv, 708776.
Nasriyah, N., & Wulandari, D. A. (2022). Peran Bidan Dalam Upaya Menurunkan Kehamilan Risiko Tinggi Melalui Pendidikan Kesehatan Pada Ibu Hamil. Jurnal Abdimas Indonesia, 4(1), 12–18. https://doi.org/10.26751/jai.v4i1.1497
Nations, U. (2017). Goal 3.1 – Reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030.
Puspita, S. I., & Surani, E. (2025). Hubungan Penerimaan Respectful Maternity Care (Rmc) Dengan Kepuasan Ibu Bersalin Di Puskesmas Bangetayu Kecamatan Genuk Kota Semarang. Journal of Fundus, 5(2), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.57267/fundus.v5i2.533
Safitri, D. J., & Surani, E. (2025). Hubungan Pengetahuan Dan Praktik Bidan Penolong Persalinan Tentang Respectful Maternity Care (Rmc) Di Puskesmas Poned Kota Semarang. Journal of Fundus, 5(2), 20-26. https://doi.org/10.57267/fundus.v5i2.532
Susianti, S., Usman, A., & Irawati, A. (2026). Pemberdayaan Ibu Hamil Trimester III melalui Konseling Persiapan Persalinan Berbasis Respectful Maternity Care (RMC). Ekspresi: Publikasi Kegiatan Pengabdian Indonesia, 3(1), 63-68. https://doi.org/10.62383/ekspresi.v3i1.1062
Susiarno, H., Adnani, Q. E. S., Khaerani, I. N., Nurdiawan, W., Nisa, A. S., & Adepoju, V. A. (2026). Qualitative Analysis of Maternal Mortality Reporting Gaps and the Emerging Fourth Delay in Garut Regency, Indonesia. International Journal of Women's Health, 552705. https://doi.org/10.2147/IJWH.S552705
Syafitasari, J., Putri, P. S., & Aprilia, R. (2025). Strategi Respectful Maternity Care: Mengurangi Stigma dan Meningkatkan Penerimaan terhadap Ibu Hamil Remaja. MAHESA: Malahayati Health Student Journal, 5(11), 5259-5268. https://doi.org/10.33024/mahesa.v5i11.22727
Zakiah, S., Herliawati, P. A., Witari, N. N. D., & Chania, M. P. (2022). Analisis Kasus Continuity of Care (COC) di Tempat Praktek Mandiri Bidan Siti Zakiah Tabanan Tahun 2022: Studi Kasus. Jurnal Genta Kebidanan, 12(1), 31-37. https://doi.org/10.36049/jgk.v12i1.87
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Apria Hartina Aghna, Endang Surani (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
