Perceived quality of maternal health care among pregnant women and mothers attending Morogoro rural district health facilities in Tanzania

Abstract

Objectives: The major objective of the study was to determine the perceptions of pregnant women and mothers regarding quality of maternal health services including their level of satisfaction on health care services received.
Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in Morogoro Rural District involving 283 pregnant women and mothers. We used interview schedules and exit interviews to collect data. In order to assess both the levels of satisfaction and perceived quality of care, we used Likert scale of 1-5 points. Analyses were based on proportions and a chi-square test was applied to assess the association between dependent and independent categorical variables.
Results: The majority, 75%, of pregnant women and mothers reported the quality of maternal health care to be acceptable. Positive perception on behaviors of health care providers was rated high, ranging between 86% and 96% of all study participants. Despite affirmative perceptions, some participants reported negative behaviors of the health care providers to be disappointing.
Conclusion: With the unsatisfactory current situation of health care services in Tanzania especially in rural health facilities, this study suggests that the quality of maternal healthcare perceived by pregnant women and mothers is acceptable. It is also important is to recognize perceptions of women regarding quality of maternal health care and their levels of satisfaction.

Key Words: Maternal health, Perception, Rural, Satisfaction, Tanzania