Perception Of Quality Of Maternal Healthcare In The Wa Municipality

ABSTRACT

Although provision of quality maternal healthcare has proven to be a critical

strategy in reducing the high global maternal mortality level, studies on quality

maternal healthcare have often been from provider’s perspective with limited

research on service users, particularly in the context of health facilities. This study

therefore assessed the quality of maternal healthcare in the Wa Municipality. The

study was qualitative and guided by the Donabedian approach for measuring

service quality. Fourteen health facilities were purposively selected and 62

mothers who received post-natal care were interviewed. Six Focus Group

Discussion (of 39 members) and 26 In-depth Interviews were conducted in all.

The analysis was guided by inductive content analysis approach. The results

showed that mothers assigned varied meanings to the concept of quality maternal

healthcare, which reinforce the subjective nature of service quality. It was

reported that the attitude of healthcare providers towards women during labour

was woeful. Again, timeliness, interpersonal care from service providers, limited

number of midwives on weekends amongst others were hindrances to the

attainment of quality healthcare within the Municipality. It is recommended that

the Wa Municipal Health Directorate as well as Nursing and Midwifery Council

should deploy more midwives to rural areas in the region to help address referral

challenges confronted by expectant mothers. Refresher courses should be given to

healthcare providers on quality healthcare, so us to improve their service delivery.

It is concluded that quality maternal healthcare received from providers was fair

as such users’ were less willing to revisit those health facilities.

Read Download