Abstract:

Patient satisfaction has been identified as a major index in the assessment of quality of healthcare globally. Mothers judge the quality of maternal and child healthcare services received based on their satisfaction with the services provided, thus influencing their utilization of healthcare facilities. The aim of this cross-sectional study is to determine the satisfaction of mothers towards maternal and child healthcare services rendered at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Anambra State. Two research questions and three research hypotheses guided the study. Using Taro Yamane’s formula for calculating sample size, a total number of four hundred (400) women were recruited, using convenient sampling techniques. The instrument for data collection was the questionnaire which was validated by three experts and a reliability coefficient of 0.99. Frequency counts and percentages were used to answer the research questions. Findings revealed that the respondents’ satisfaction with the maternal and child health services was above average as 41.5% were very satisfied with the antenatal care services received while 53% identified health providers’ attitude as one of the factors affecting their satisfaction. An association was found to exist between maternal age and satisfaction with quality of care and subsequently utilization of the services. There is no statistically significant relationship between maternal education and parity, and satisfaction with maternal and child health services. The null hypothesis was accepted at P>0.05. Though the overall maternal satisfaction on the maternal and child healthcare services provided was very good, the few domains of dissatisfaction identified need to be addressed by healthcare professionals and policymakers to sustain and improve utilization of orthodox healthcare services amongst mothers, thereby contributing to achieving the third Sustainable Development Goal. Hence, midwives should pay attention to women’s needs and provide opportunities for them to state how they feel and be carried along with their care.