Choice of Healthcare Facilities for Antenatal Care, Delivery Services and Satisfaction Received by Mothers of Infants in Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

INTRODUCTION Increased utilisation of Antenatal Care (ANC) and delivery with a skilled birth attendant helps to prevent or effectively manage the majority of complications of pregnancy and delivery. This will improve the maternal mortality ratio nationally and globally. This study assessed the choice of healthcare facilities for ANC, child delivery services and satisfaction with the care received by mothers of infants attending child immunization clinics at selected Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) in Lagos, Nigeria. MATERIALS/METHODS A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among mothers who attended antenatal care (ANC) in a health facility during pregnancy, delivered at the same facility, and brought their infants for immunization at the selected PHCs in Lagos, Nigeria. A total of 355 respondents were recruited from the five selected PHCs. Data were collected with an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics were conducted and the level of significance (p) was set at less than or equal to 5% (p≤0.05). RESULTS Less than half of the respondents 170 (47.9%) registered for ANC in the first trimester, 206 (58.0%) of the respondents utilised private hospitals only while very few 55 (15.5%) utilised PHCs for ANC and delivery. Most of the respondents (59.1%) had between 9 to 15 ANC visits during pregnancy, with a mean attendance of 11.3 ± 4.7. Some of the reasons given for the choice of ANC and delivery centre by the respondents were quality service 325 (91.6%), availability of skilled healthcare staff 276 (77.7%), clean environment 236 (66.5%), and good staff attitude 234 (65.9%) among others. The majority of the respondents 349 (98.3%) were satisfied with the overall care received in the health facilities utilised for ANC and delivery services during pregnancy. Statistically significant associations were found between respondents’ monthly income, spousal’s level of education, enrolment in health insurance scheme and the choice of health facility used for ANC and delivery (p<0.05). CONCLUSION Continuous health educational programs are recommended for women of reproductive age and their spouses on the benefits and importance of antenatal care in pregnancy at healthcare facilities and skilled birth attendants at delivery. Improved funding for government hospitals may enhance public trust in healthcare facilities and increase utilization.