Clients’ Perception of Quality of Antenatal Care Provided by Midwives in Health Care Settings in Osun State, Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction: Uptake of antenatal care improves maternal and child health, which has been found to
increase with improved quality, antenatal care thereby reducing the number of complications with maternal
and child health. Antenatal care (ANC) provides an opportunity for midwives to screen, perform routine
examinations, counsel, and help pregnant women have a successful pregnancy and delivery. This study
assessed the quality of services provided by midwives during ANC in selected health facilities in Osun State,
Nigeria.
Methods: This study used a descriptive research design and applied the Donabedian model of quality
of care. Sample size was determined using the Cochran formula. A multiple stage sampling method was
used to select 420 pregnant women from 22 primary, 4 secondary, and 1 tertiary health facilities in Osun
state. Data were collected with a semistructured questionnaire administered over a period of 12 weeks. Data
analysis was done using Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) version 23.
Results: The study found that 61.2% of the pregnant women were between the ages of 21 to 30 years,
and 63.6% had less than 4 antenatal contacts. Services rendered by the midwives showed that all the
components of ANC are in place. The quality of ANC was rated adequate by 64.8% of the respondents due
to poor process and structure of care that affect the productivity of the midwives.
Discussion/Conclusion: This study concluded that the quality of ANC was adequate, but there was lack
of standard guidelines and equipment.

RÉSUMÉ
cun bénéficie d’une couverture sanitaire efficace. Il est obligatoire d’instaurer une politique solide qui
mette en évidence le rôle des sages-femmes dans les pays dont les taux de morbidité et de mortalité
maternelles et périnatales sont élevés. Lors de la planification des ressources humaines, les besoins actuels
et futurs doivent tenir compte non seulement de la disponibilité des soins, mais aussi de leur accessibilité,
de leur acceptabilité et de leur qualité.