PERCEPTION AND SATISFACTION WITH QUALITY OF ANTENATAL CARE SERVICES AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN AT THE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE HOSPITAL, IBADAN, NIGERIA

BACKGROUND: Antenatal care is an important health service which detects and sometimes reduces the risk of complications among pregnant women. The quality of care is likely to influence effective utilization and compliance with interventions. OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated clients’ perception of antenatal care quality at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan and determined levels of client satisfaction. METHODS: Women presenting for antenatal care at the study centre were interviewed in a cross-sectional design using a structured questionnaire. Items in the questionnaire included sociodemographic and obstetric variables, assessment of quality of amenities, waiting time and level of satisfaction. Data analysis was done using frequency tables, Chi-square cross tabulations and logistic regression. The p-value was set at P<0.05. RESULTS: There were 239 participants; 74% percent of the women were aged 25-34 years; majority of the respondents (86%) had tertiary education while 49.4% were skilled workers or professionals. In 57.7% of women, the gestational age was between 13 and 27 weeks while 66.1% were Para 1-4. Amenities and water supply were regarded as unsatisfactory in 60.7% and 61.9% respectively. The clinic services were regarded as good in 81.1% of respondents; the only significant association with patient satisfaction was the desire to register in the same facility in the next pregnancy. CONCLUSION: There is a high overall level of satisfaction with antenatal services among pregnant women in UCH. Policy makers and health providers should however address improvement of amenities, reduction of waiting time and ensure that health interventions are available for all clients.