BACKGROUND:
Respectful Maternal and Newborn Care (RMNC) ensures quality women-centered care whilst maintaining client confidentiality, and informed choice with freedom from harm and mistreatment (USAID 2020). Despite an increased number of studies on RMNC globally, a paucity of data exists on women’s experience of childbirth care, including disrespect and abuse, during facility-based deliveries in Trinidad. Against this backdrop, research on RMNC was undertaken in 2022 as a collaborative effort between the Momentum Country Global Leadership (MCGL), Caribbean Regional Midwives Association (CRMA) and the University of the West Indies School of Nursing (UWISoN)

OBJECTIVES:
The aim was to describe the current state of RMC in the public and private sectors in Trinidad from the perspectives of the clients, their partners and health care professionals

METHODS:
A mixed methods approach was used to collect data during 2022/ 2023. Quantitative data were obtained from pregnant women (297), and midwives/obstetricians (175) and analyzed using descriptive analysis. Qualitative data were obtained from pregnant women, partners, care providers, and policymakers using interviews (37) and focus group discussions (6) and analyzed using thematic analysis. Ethical approval was obtained from the UWISoN, MCGL and Institutions involved in the research. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

RESULTS:
Generally, women (90%) reported that care was respectful. Whilst severe mistreatment was rare, psychosocial and structural distress were more commonly perceived by women and their partners. Providers, administrators and policymakers shared their understanding of respectful care and mistreatment.

CONCLUSIONS:
Findings suggest the need for change in the policy landscape and culture to include women’s empowerment and autonomy, partner involvement, and integration of RMNC into existing guidelines.

KEY MESSAGE:
There is a need to extend changes beyond the education of midwives and providers to consider ways to restructure environments, promote supportive workplaces, and embed RMNC into customer care and quality improvement efforts. Key words: respectful care, mistreatment, disrespect Poster session 2 (Group A)