ABSTRACT
Background: Antenatal care is an important health service which detects and sometimes reduces the risk of complications among pregnant women. The quality of care is likely to influence effective utilization and compliance with interventions. Objectives: This study evaluated clients' perception of antenatal care quality at the University College Hospital (UCH); Ibadan and determined levels of client satisfaction. Methods: Women presenting for antenatal care at the study centre were interviewed in a cross-sectional design using a structured questionnaire. Items in the questionnaire included sociodemographic and obstetric variables; assessment of quality of amenities; waiting time and level of satisfaction. Data analysis was done using frequency tables; Chi-square cross tabulations and logistic regression. The p-value was set at P0.05. Results: There were 239 participants; 74 percent of the women were aged 25-34 years; majority of the respondents (86) had tertiary education while 49.4 were skilled workers or professionals. In 57.7 of women; the gestational age was between 13 and 27 weeks while 66.1 were Para 1-4. Amenities and water supply were regarded as unsatisfactory in 60.7 and 61.9 respectively. The clinic services were regarded as good in 81.1 of respondents; the only significant association with patient satisfaction was the desire to register in the same facility in the next pregnancy. Conclusion: There is a high overall level of satisfaction with antenatal services among pregnant women in UCH. Policy makers and health providers should however address improvement of amenities; reduction of waiting time and ensure that health interventions are available for all clients
Subject(s)
Hospitals , Personal Satisfaction , Quality of Health Care , UniversitiesABSTRACT
The prevalence of malaria parasitemia at booking was studied in 1,848 pregnant women in a secondary hospital in Ibadan, Nigeria. Main outcome variables were patent parasitemia and fever. 8.4% had patent malaria parasitaemia. Most clients (89%) with parasitemia were asymptomatic. Febrile subjects booked at an earlier gestational age [22.7 versus 24.2 weeks] than afebrile patients (p = 0.0052). Anemia was more prevalent among patients with patent parasitemia than those without (58.1% versus 22.6%, p<0.0001). Malaria parasitaemia was higher among nulliparous women than other parity groups (p<0.0001). Symptomatic malaria was associated with early booking for antenatal care and malaria parasitemia was a significant determinant of anemia. The prevalence of malaria parasitaemia in this study is much lower than in previous reports. (Afr J Reprod Health 2008; 12[2]:141-152)