Influence of obstetric and gynecological violence on women’s self-care

Abstract

Introduction: Gynecological and obstetric violence represent forms of institutional abuse perpetrated by some healthcare professionals. These practices may negatively influence women's autonomy, trust in the healthcare system, and their ability to engage in effective self-care regarding sexual and reproductive health. Objective: To identify the presence of gynecological and obstetric violence and examine its relationship with self-care practices among women of reproductive age attending an urban health center in Aguascalientes, Mexico. Methods: A quantitative, non-experimental, correlational, and cross-sectional study was conducted with a non-probabilistic convenience sample (n=101). Three validated instruments were applied: the Obstetric Violence Perception Test (α=0.829), the Gynecological Violence Scale (α=0.775), and the Self-Care Practices Questionnaire for Sexual and Reproductive Health in Women of Childbearing Age (α=0.715). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Spearman’s correlation test. Results: Gynecological violence was reported by 13.86% of participants, while obstetric violence showed a high prevalence of 95%. Regarding self-care, 58.4% of women exhibited a regular level and 36.6% an adequate level. No statistically significant correlation was found between the reported violence (obstetric or gynecological) and the level of self-care (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The findings indicate that gynecological and obstetric violence are not significantly associated with self-care levels in this population. Further research is needed to explore other influencing factors on women's self-care behaviors in sexual and reproductive health contexts.

Recepción: 21/05/2025

Aprobación: 16/10/2025