Maternal Satisfaction and Factors Associated with Institutional Delivery Care in Central Ethiopia: a Mixed Study

BACKGROUND: Women satisfaction recognized as an important outcome of the maternal health care delivery system. Despite the Ethiopian federal ministry of health implemented compassionate, respectful, and caring as one of the health sector transformation agendas to increase health service utilization, the level of maternal satisfaction of institutional delivery is still low. This study aimed to assess maternal satisfaction and factors associated with institutional delivery care in central Ethiopia. METHODS: Community-based cross-sectional study, which involved quantitative study supplemented with qualitative methods were employed. Mothers were proportionally allocated to each selected kebele according to the number of their size. Data were collected by a face-to-face interview using a standardized questionnaire to determine the level of maternal satisfaction with birth care. The result was presented using texts, percentages, and tables. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were performed between dependent and independent variables at 95% confidence intervals and a P-value < 0.05 to show a significant association. In the qualitative part, data were transcribed carefully and analyzed thematically. RESULTS: The overall a total of 451 respondents participated in this study making a response rate of 98%. The level of maternal satisfaction was 36.6% in this study. Spontaneous vaginal deliveries (SVD) (AOR: 7.33, CI: 2, 26.79), being attended by female sex health workers (AOR: 1.54, CI: 1.04, 2.28), receiving ambulance service to arrive at health facilities (AOR: 7.84, CI: 2, 61.63), utilizing of maternal waiting areas AOR: 1.72, CI: 1.09, 2.66), and respectful care (AOR=1.55, CI: 1.03, 2.34) were factors associated with maternal satisfaction. From qualitative study, three themes and ten categories have emerged. CONCLUSION: Maternal satisfaction towards the delivery service was low. SVD, being attended by female sex health workers, ambulance service, cleaned delivery room, and respectful care were factors associated with maternal satisfaction. The health facilities in the study areas need to work on improving health facility cleanliness, health workers’ compassionate and respectful care, and providing ambulance service as a main means of transportation for laboring mothers.