
Experiences and Perceptions of Respectful Maternity Care among Childbearing Women in Busia district, Uganda: A Phenomenological Inquiry into Maternal Perspectives and Healthcare Dynamics
By: Joyce Nankabirwa
References
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.15566/nrv5f649 | Journal eISSN: 2167-2415
Language: English
Page range: 34 - 46
Submitted on: Apr 9, 2025
Accepted on: Aug 29, 2025
Published on: Nov 4, 2025
Published by: Global Health Institute at William Carey International University
In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services
Keywords:
© 2025 Joyce Nankabirwa, published by Global Health Institute at William Carey International University
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.