Maternal Satisfaction with Antenatal Care Services in Ethiopia: Evidence from The Ethiopia Service Provision Assessment Survey (ESPA) 2021/22

Abstract

Desalew Zelalem, Aderajew Mekonnen Girmay, Hiwot Achamyeleh, Tsegaye Getachew, Desallegn Ararso, Arega Zeru, Ashenif Tadele, Girum Taye, Yitayh Leul, Weldemariam Bahre, Kelem Berhanu Abride, Akberet Lemlem, Afewerk Alemu, Gebeyaw Molla, Tefera Tadele, Wogayehu Tadele, Tesfaye Dagne, Senait Alemayehu, Hanim Tesfaye, Daniel Alemayehu Chekol, Fikreselassie Getachew, Seboka Abebe, Mesay Hailu and Getachew Tollera

Introduction: Antenatal care (ANC) is a medical care provided to pregnant women by health care professionals to sustain and maintain optimal health of women during pregnancy, labor, and puerperium period. ANC creates platform for health promotion (including birth planning for a facility-based delivery), screening and diagnosis, and disease prevention relevant to gestational age, health status, and geographic context. The objective of this paper is to assess how pregnant women rate their satisfaction to ANC services. It also identifies the client, provider and facility level factors that predict satisfaction with antenatal care services at a national level using data collected from both public and private health facilities.

Methods: This study used an institution based cross-sectional study design. We analyzed nationally representative data from Ethiopia service provision assessment 2021/2022. Logistic regression analysis was conducted using Stata version 14.

Results: About 4125 (95.93%) pregnant women with (95% CI: 93.82% to 97.33%) were satisfied while 200 (4.07%) pregnant women with (95% CI: 2.67% to 6.18%) were dissatisfied with the service they received. Women’s recommendation of Health facility to a friend or family member, women’s rating of quality of ANC, waiting time, hours of service in health facilities, the way staff treated in health facilities, iron tablet provision, the way provider communicate information, sympathy and respect provider shows and rating of knowledge of provider by women were independently associated with ANC service satisfaction.

Conclusion: The findings underscored the importance of improving provider attributes such as their communication skills, knowledge, respectfulness, sympathy and ability to involve mothers in decision-making processes through comprehensive training supplemented by positive reinforcement practices, such as recognizing and awarding health workers for good manners and compassionate and respectful care.