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.