Original Research Article
Year: 2017 | Month: September | Volume: 2 | Issue: 3 | Pages: 7-14
Mother’s Perception of Responsiveness of Labour and Delivery Services in First Referral Facilities in Ghana
Emmanuel K. Srofenyoh1, Elom Hillary Otchi2, Roger Atinga3
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; Ridge Regional Hospital
2Quality Improvement (QI) Manager, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Ghana
3Lecturer, Department of Public Administration and Health Services Management, Ghana
Corresponding Author: Elom Hillary Otchi
ABSTRACT
Background: To determine the perception of responsiveness of maternal health services in selected institutions in Ghana.
Methods: Cross-sectional study. Three purposively selected district hospitals with level 1 referral status in the Greater Accra, Region of Ghana namely Achimota Hospital, Mamprobi Polyclinic and the Ga South District Hospital. The study population was mothers who used the health facilities for antenatal, delivery and postnatal care services. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select the participants who reported for their last postnatal visit at approximately six (6) weeks after delivery. A verbal consent was sought from the respondents. The outcome measures of the study were the seven (7) elements of responsiveness of labour and delivery services which are being treated with dignity, assurance of autonomy, privacy and confidentiality, prompt attention, conducive physical environment, continuity of care and social support.
Results: The study showed a mean perception standard score of 43.3% (Likert mean score of 3.89 on a five-point scale) which is low. Three domains, ‘privacy and confidentiality’, ‘dignity’ and ‘autonomy’ has satisfactory performance of 58.3%, 57% and 53.7% respectively. Dignity, prompt attention and continuity of care were ranked as the top three (3) most important domains. Socio-economic factors significantly influenced the rankings with respondents with favourable socio-economic status preferring to be treated with “dignity” foremost whilst those with unfavourable socioeconomic status prefer “prompt attention” foremost.
Conclusions: As developing countries make effort to improve access to maternal health services it is important to address issues of responsiveness as a means of promoting positive experience of care.
Key words:pregnant women, quality, responsiveness, maternal health services, labour, delivery services.