Introduction: Despite improvements in the accessibility of maternity care worldwide, maternity Care Quality (MCQ) has not proportionately improved. A prerequisite to MCQ improvement is careful MCQ assessment using valid and reliable instruments.   Objective: This study aims to develop and evaluate the psychometric properties of the MCQ in maternity Units Scale (MCQ-MUS). Materials and Methods: This study, with an exploratory sequential mixed methods design, was conducted in two phases of development and psychometric evaluation. In the first phase, a hybrid concept analysis was employed to define the concept and develop the questionnaire items. In the psychometric evaluation phase, we assessed face validity, content validity, construct validity (tested on 220 midwives using Exploratory Factor Analysis [EFA]), internal consistency (using Cronbach’s α), and test re-test reliability (using Intraclass Correlation Coefficient [ICC]) of the questionnaire. Results: Based on the factor analysis, 39 items were loaded on four factors: Professional care, appropriate human and physical resources, effective interaction and communication, and professional commitment, which explained 49. 61% of the total variance. The Cronbach’s α and ICC values for the entire scale were 0. 936 and 0. 945, respectively. Conclusion: The MCQ-MUS is a valid and reliable instrument that can be used to assess the MCQ in maternity units.

Background & Aim: In recent years, women's experience of disrespect and misconduct during childbirth has been raised as a significant problem around the world. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of disrespectful maternity care and its associated factors. Methods & Materials: This is a cross-sectional study conducted in 2019 on 357 mothers who gave birth at hospitals affiliated to TUMS. The data collection tool included socio-demographic characteristics form, and the disrespectful maternity care questionnaire, measuring various domains of abuse. The questionnaire was completed by interviewing mothers. Data was analyzed using descriptive tests, Chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression through the SPSS software version 24. Results: All participants reported at least one form of disrespect, of which “, not allowing for mobility, fluid and companion”,was the most prevalent (99. 7%) and “, stigma and discrimination”,was the least prevalent (4. 5%). Statistical analysis showed a significant relationship between older age, ethnic minority, primiparity, higher socioeconomic status, delivery time (night, day) and a history of illness with more experience of different forms of disrespect. Conclusion: This study confirmed a relatively high prevalence of disrespectful maternity care in hospitals based on international standards, which requires serious and prompt attention of top-level managers to take action to eliminate or limit this type of behavior.

Objective(s): To assess the cesarean rate and related factors in maternity hospitals in Tehran. Material & Methods: This was a cross-sectional study using data from 824 pregnant women via a two step random sampling. A standardized form was completed for each mother, collecting past and present obstetric history and demographic characteristics. Results: 66.5% of mothers delivered by cesarean section & 33.5% vaginaly. 72% of cesareans were elective. Of these 22% were done because of maternal request and 71% of mothers who requested cesarean had no logic reason for their request. Also 65% of doctors suggested cesarean for their patients without any true medical indications. The majority of cesarean sections were performed in private hospitals (84% in private vs. 47% in public hospitals (P<0.0001). Conclusion: The results show significant variability among hospitals when opting for cesarean section. Also, the results indicate that, cesarean section is widely performed for non-medical reasons.

One of the fundamental rights for women is the right to motherhood. Islam concurs the essential role of family in societies and on the account of the important role of mothers in the development and education of children, the rights and responsibilities of mothers holds a prominent position in Sharia Law. Principal Human Rights documents mention the right to motherhood and articulate the measurements regarding its protection. Under the influence of religious doctrine and international instruments, Iranian domestic law has incorporated protective maternity laws. This article seeks to study the provisions mentioned above in the context of Iran's social security obligations to provide medical care and monetary benefits for mothers.

This paper adopted the Eco-feminism approach to explore Shell Shaker, solely filled with Native American settings and issues. So, both nature and the woman of the Native American context were the focus of the study. The researcher showed how the Native American women can be representative of the nature of their ancestral lands and identify with it. The main argument that the researcher intended to study was parallel roles of both women and natural land for Native American. To this purpose, theories and notions of several thinkers were exploited. The researcher found different scenes in the novel that show both aspects of nature which include the mentioned concepts. On ‘maternity’, the researcher depicted how nature is considered a source of giving life and existence to the world like women. On 'otherness', the researcher found how nature is marginalized and ignored just like women. In other words, it is shown nature, like women, is ‘other' and secondary in the society. It was shown how nature and culture are related. Besides, it was proved that there is a close relationship between women and nature that one can delve further into. This paper adopted the Eco-feminism approach to explore Shell Shaker, solely filled with Native American settings and issues. So, both nature and the woman of the Native American context were the focus of the study. The researcher showed how the Native American women can be representative of the nature of their ancestral lands and identify with it. The main argument that the researcher intended to study was parallel roles of both women and natural land for Native American. To this purpose, theories and notions of several thinkers were exploited.