Level of satisfaction with the quality of antenatal care services in public health facilities and associated factors among pregnant women in Unguja, Zanzibar.

BACKGROUND

Antenatal care (ANC) through quality services is essential and can improve pregnancy outcomes. Satisfaction with the quality of ANC services is the critical determinant of service utilization and is important in identifying factors that can improve maternal health. ANC coverage is very low in low- and middle-income countries. Hence, this study aims to assess the level of satisfaction with the quality of antenatal care services in public health facilities and their associated factors among pregnant women in Unguja, Zanzibar.

METHODS

A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from September to October 2021, with 393 pregnant women who were followed up after their ANC visits to selected public health facilities in Unguja. Systematic random sampling was used to select study participants. A pre-programmed, smartphone-based application, Kobo tool Kit (ODK Collect VVI.27.3), was used to collect information. SPSS (version 26) was used for analysis. Descriptive statistics and bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were employed to describe and identify the level of satisfaction and association between variables.

RESULTS

A total of 393 pregnant women were enrolled in this study, with a response rate of 99.8%. About two-thirds (64.4%) of the enrolled women were satisfied with the ANC services provided. The mean and SD age of the pregnant women was 28.1 ± 5.6 (range = 15-49) years. The average mean satisfaction score indicated that 71 (18.1%) of respondents had high satisfaction with the quality of ANC services. Interpersonal and communication aspects (AOR = 2.34; 95% CI = 1.17-4.72; p = 0.016), technical quality aspects (AOR = 0.41, 95% CI = 0.21-0.78, p = 0.006), and accessibility and convenience of ANC (AOR = 0.54, 95% CI = 0.29-0.99, p = 0.045) were significantly associated with satisfaction with the quality of antenatal care services in public health facilities.

CONCLUSION

Although 64.4% of the enrolled women were satisfied with the quality of antenatal care, there were areas of dissatisfaction, namely, health information concerning the prevention of cervical cancer and breast self-examination and the provision of ANC services by male healthcare providers. Healthcare providers' efforts are needed to improve their technical competence in providing ANC services that could improve the quality of maternal and child health care.