Assessment of Patients Satisfaction With Quality Maternal and Child Health Care Services in Health Facilities In Owerri

Patients’ satisfaction with the quality of care is an important goal in Maternal and Child Health (MCH) care services. It is a measure of mothers’ experience with care and a factor in the utilization of the MCH services for subsequent pregnancies and deliveries. Studies have shown that substandard facilities, excessive waiting time, inadequate attention, and attitude of the healthcare workers has deprived client’s satisfaction in health services in Nigeria. There is, however, limited evidence on the quality of care and patient satisfaction in MCH care services in Imo State. Furthermore, regular assessment of the care services which could improve the quality and subsequently patients’ satisfaction is lacking in the MCH care services. This study assessed the patient’s satisfaction with the quality of MCH care services in selected health facilities in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria. Convergent parallel design was used in the study. Three health facilities were selected in Owerri, Imo State, based on patronage of mothers. Population was 1500 mothers. A sample size of 315 mothers was determined using Taro Yamane formular with multistage sampling technique selection. A validated questionnaire with reliability co-efficient ranging from 0.92 to 0.92 was used to collect the quantitative data. Observation checklist was utilized for the structure of the facilities. The qualitative data was collected in three focus group discussions with a total of 25 women. The quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics at p < 0.05, while the qualitative data were analyzed thematically. The results showed that 89% respondents were between 15-35 years, 60% had tertiary education and 44% had more than four children. Themes from the qualitative findings revealed that patients’ satisfaction with the quality of MCH services is influenced by structure of facilities, training and retraining of staff, process of care in MCH service, . The results of the observational checklist showed that the three facilities had good structures and adequate instruments for MCH services. The quantitative results showed that there is positive significant relationship (r = 0.378, p < 0.05) between patients’ satisfaction and reduction in waiting time. There is weak but positive correlation (r = 0.030, p < 0.05) between patients’ satisfaction and processes of care. The study showed that mothers were satisfied with the quality of MCH services in selected health facilities in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.  It is recommended that the healthcare providers should prioritize patient-centered care, effective communication, and reduction of waiting time to improve quality of care and patient’s satisfaction.