Abstract:
Background: Antenatal care is a basic component of any reproductive health care programme and reproductive health is one of women’s fundamental human rights. It aims to achieve optimal health outcomes for the mother and the baby through early detection of complications and prompt treatment and it is one of the recommended interventions to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality. High quality antenatal care is desirable as only adequate utilisation is not enough to reduce the poor maternal indices in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa.
Objective: To assess the quality of antenatal services in primary health centres in Awka South LGA of Anambra State.
Methodology: This was a cross sectional descriptive study carried out in Primary health centres in Awka South LGA of Anambra State. It involved an audit of structures in the facility, equipment, drugs and supply. An interviewer- administered questionnaire was used to conduct an exit interview for 258 pregnant women attending antenatal care in the facilities. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20 and results presented in tables
Results: Findings from this study showed good quality with regards to process of care and very good quality with regards to structural and outcome attribute of quality. There was a high level of client satisfaction with antenatal care received (86.8%). A significant association was observed between client satisfaction and marital status, educational level and occupational group (P<0.05) but no association was observed with parity (P>0.05)
Conclusion: The importance of high quality antenatal care cannot be overemphasized at it will not only ensure women attendance to the clinics but will also contribute in combating
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maternal mortality which is high in this part of the world. Clients’ perspective of quality of care with regards to their satisfaction with service provision is also a vital part that should always be considered to have an improved service delivery.
Keywords: Antenatal care, Quality, Structure, Process of care, client satisfaction
