Obstetric violence: socioeconomic and ethnics disparities in brazilian territory

Abstract

As a country with a history of racial exploitation, aspects of colonial relationships persist in modern healthcare. The institutionalization of obstetric violence reflects structural racism, leading to the dehumanization of non-white women and the submission of birthing individuals to a paternalistic medical figure. The objective is to elucidate racial and social inequities in obstetric violence rates in Brazil. This literature review is restricted to the last five years, covering four databases, with the selection of 13 articles following exclusion criteria. There is a high maternal-fetal mortality rate due to direct obstetric causes, associated with increased rates of iatrogenic interventions and physical and verbal violence during childbirth. Resistance from the medical community, coupled with elitism in leadership positions of movements against obstetric violence and the normalization of abuses, makes it challenging for black women to recognize the violence. It is mandatory to implement legislation directly prohibiting obstetric violence.