2024/07/13 by Umahi, Esther Nnennaya, Atinge, Sonnen, Agbede, Catherine +1
#Antenatal care #Mothers. #Postnatal care #Satisfaction #knowledge
paper · doi:10.60787/tnhj.v19i2.438
Background: Antenatal and postnatal care services aim at preventing maternal mortality and morbidity, with success considered in terms of maternal results. The study assessed knowledge, perception, and satisfaction of mothers regarding antenatal and postnatal care services in a semi-urban setting. Method: A mixed method cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in Ikenne Local Government Area of Ogun State. Simple random sampling by balloting was used in selecting the health facilities and purposive sampling for study participants. A total of 389 women were interviewed. Focused group discussions and key informant interviews were also conducted. Result: Most 253 (65%) of the respondents knew when a pregnant woman should begin antenatal care; 358 (92%) did not know when a woman should return for postnatal care services and 34 (8.7%) respondents knew that receiving antenatal and postnatal care has benefits for both mother and child. Overall, 323 (83.0%) were satisfied with the care and services provided at the health centres. From the focused group discussion, about 70% of the women attending antenatal classes indicated that they might not deliver in the clinic. The main reasons for their decision included long distance to be travelled, better services during delivery by traditional birth attendants, religious faith, fear of caesarian section, and health workers’ attitudes. Conclusion: The study showed good satisfaction with antenatal and postnatal care services in spite of conflicting perceptions and low level of knowledge base. Efforts to improve utilization and satisfaction of maternal and child health services should incorporate client and provider perspectives.