Antenatal care services satisfaction and related factors, among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in Public general hospitals of central zone of Tigray region, Ethiopia; 2024: hospital based cross-sectional study design (mixed)

Abstract

Introduction: Antenatal care (ANC) is care offered by skilled healthcare professionals to pregnant women to guarantee the greatest possible health for both the mother and the baby. In Tigray, 78% of health posts, 72% of health centers, and 80% of hospitals had been destroyed during the war according to the Tigray Regional Health Bureau. As a result, ANC coverage decreased from 94% to 16% during the war. Since there is no related research done in the study area, it necessitates undertaking this research. Objective: This study aims to assess ANC services satisfaction and related factors in public general hospitals of central zone of Tigray region, Ethiopia, 2024. Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study involving both qualitative and quantitative approaches of data collection was used from September 10 to November 15, 2024. Data were gathered from systematically selected 420 individuals via interviewer administered face-to-face interviews using Kobo toolbox. Data from the kobo toolbox was exported to and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 27. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify the factors associated with the outcome variable. For the qualitative part, convenience sampling was used to select respondents, and data were collected through in-depth interviews. Then, inductive thematic analysis was used to manually review qualitative data. Results: Pregnant mothers’ satisfaction with ANC service was found 44.8%. Type of pregnancy, tone of pregnancy, ANC start time, waiting time to see a doctor, getting additional clinical examination, counseling on self-care and on birth preparedness and complication readiness plan and availability of free laboratory service were among the significant predictors of ANC satisfaction. The qualitative findings also highlight that early initiation of ANC, friendly and respectful care, easily accessibility of the institution, etc were frequently raised as a favorable contributors for a satified care. Conclusion and recommendation: pregnant mothers’ satisfaction with ANC was low in this study. Concerned bodies are recommended to undertake continues monitoring, improve financing for health care, staffing and making comprehensive counselling accessible at each service contacts.