Maternal satisfaction with intrapartum care and associated factors among mothers who gave birth in public hospitals of the South West Shewa Zone, Ethiopia, 2022

1. Introduction

Satisfaction is difficult to define conceptually because it is affected by a variety of factors. Expectations of mothers, which might vary across women due to different contexts, such as their socioeconomic background, education level, and individual preferences, are among the various elements that determine this level of satisfaction (1). Maternal satisfaction refers to a mother's feelings of joy as a result of comparing a service provided in a health facility to her expectations and the ability of the services provided to meet her expectations, which is a crucial factor when choosing a health facility, compliance with services and follow-ups, and continuation of healthcare (2).

Users' satisfaction with intrapartum care is a comprehensive concept that involves one's contentment, the physical environment of the delivery ward, and the degree of care delivered. Women's satisfaction during childbirth is the most widely reported criterion for evaluating the quality of childbearing services (3).

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines intrapartum care as a platform for providing pregnant women with respectful, individualized, woman-centered, and effective clinical and non-clinical practices to improve birth outcomes for mother and baby by having skilled healthcare providers provide intrapartum care in a well-functioning healthcare system. Women seek a “good childbirth experience” that meets or exceeds their past personal and societal beliefs and expectations according to the evidence used to establish the 2018 WHO recommendations on intrapartum care (4).

Physical environment and infrastructure, continuity of service provided to mothers, access, information, cost, and attention to psychological issues are all factors that can influence maternal satisfaction (3, 5). Mothers' satisfaction is an outcome indicator of the quality and efficiency of care services in the healthcare system, professional healthcare being an important indicator of overall client satisfaction (6).

Maternal satisfaction with intrapartum care is closely tied to service utilization and the perception of care outcomes that fulfill mothers' expectations (3). Globally in 2017, more than 830 women died within 24 h from cases related to pregnancy and childbirth process problems, and 94% of all maternal mortality occurs in low and middle-income countries (7). As part of Sustainable Development Goal 3, countries have committed to decreasing the maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births between 2015 and 2030. Therefore, addressing current levels of maternal and neonatal mortality in low- and middle-income countries by 2030 is a global priority (8). The burden of maternal and neonatal mortality is highest in Sub-Saharan Africa, where estimates of severe maternal morbidity range up to 108 per 1,000 live births (9). Maternal mortality is high at-home deliveries (10). Utilization of healthcare services and the belief that the care provided meets clients' expectations are directly related to women's satisfaction (11).

Studies carried out in Malaysia and Nepal revealed that 79.2% and 89.88% of women were satisfied with the services received during childbirth respectively (11, 12). Maternal satisfaction among women who gave birth in African nations was 78.54%, 94%, and 92.54% in Egypt, Ghana, and Mozambique, respectively (13–15). However, in Ethiopia, the proportion of women who were satisfied with child bearing care ranged from 19% to 87.2% (16–21).

Long waiting times, improper availability of drugs and supplies, disrespect, lack of privacy, poor cleanliness in health facilities, poor communication, unprofessional healthcare behavior, unplanned pregnancy, and complicated feto-maternal birth outcomes were factors that had negative impacts on maternal satisfaction with intrapartum care (2, 15, 22–25).

Mothers who denied the friendly approaching behavior of the healthcare provider during childbirth preferred traditional birth attendance (26, 27). Women who were dissatisfied with the quality of care during labor and delivery preferred to give birth at home in the future (28). The dissatisfaction of mothers with childbirth services was an important barrier to women seeking institutional delivery (29, 30). Maternal satisfaction with childbirth provides crucial and cost-effective feedback for further improving institutional childbearing services (11). Satisfaction with intrapartum care has long-term and immediate benefits for the health of the mother and the subsequent uptake and recommendation of the institution's care among their neighbors and relatives (6).

Ethiopia has made remarkable progress in expanding healthcare services through the rapid expansion of infrastructure, increased availability of healthcare providers, increased budget allocation, and enhanced financial management. However, only half of all women give birth in a hospital. Until now, maintaining and improving the quality of service has been a major challenge. As a result, providing high-quality healthcare has become a major transformation priority (31). An Ethiopian mini demographic survey showed that only 48% of live births took place at a health facility (32).

Small studies on maternal intrapartum care satisfaction have been conducted in Ethiopia, and the levels of maternal satisfaction with intrapartum care vary from region to region. Furthermore, there was no study conducted on maternal satisfaction with intrapartum care in the South West Shewa zone. The results of this study will help healthcare providers, hospital managers, local planners and decision-makers, and other stakeholders better understand how well services are provided, how well providers have met clients' expectations, and what changes may be required to meet clients' expectations and increase service utilization, which has a significant positive impact on mothers' and newborns' lives. Therefore, this study aims to assess factors associated with maternal satisfaction with intrapartum care in public hospitals in the South West Shewa Zone, Ethiopia.

2. Methods and materials

2.1. Study area and study period

The study was carried out in public hospitals in the South West Shewa Zone, Oromia region, Ethiopia. Based on the 2007 census conducted by the Central Statistical Agency of Ethiopia, this zone has a total population of 1,101,129, of whom, 556,194 are men and 544,935 are women (33). Southwest Shewa Zone consists of six hospitals (five government hospitals and one non-government hospital), 54 health centers, 264 health posts, 72 private clinics, eight private pharmacies, and 28 drug stores. The study was conducted from April 14–June 14, 2022.

2.2. Study design

A facility-based, cross-sectional study was conducted.

2.3. Study population

All selected mothers who gave birth in public hospitals in the South West Shewa Zone from April 14–June 14, 2022.

2.4. Inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria

Mothers who gave birth and were discharged from hospital by healthcare providers were included in the study. However, mothers who gave birth to stillborn babies or who suffered serious health issues and were unable to communicate during face-to-face interviews were not included.

2.5. Sample size and sampling procedure

The sample size was calculated using a single proportion population formula for the first objective, with the assumption of 95% confidence interval, 5% margin of error, 45% maternal intrapartum satisfaction), based on a previous study conducted in Public Health Facilities, Jimma Zone (34) and 10% of non-response rate. The final sample size for the study was found to be 420. The sample size for the second objective was also calculated using a double population proportion formula in Epi Info version 7.2.5; however, this is less than the first objective sample size.

The study participants were selected using a systematic random sampling technique, and the sampling interval was determined by dividing the number of average monthly delivered mothers by their allocated sample size at each hospital, which is K = N/n ∼ 2. Therefore, every other two postpartum women was included in the study until the required allocated sample at each hospital was achieved at the time the healthcare provider decided to discharge, but before leaving the hospital (See Figure 1).

Figure 1. Schematic presentation of sampling procedure on maternal satisfaction with intrapartum care and associated factors among mothers who gave birth in public hospitals in the South West Shewa Zone, Oromia region, Ethiopia, 2022.

2.6. Data collection tools and quality control

Data were collected by pretested structured face-to-face interviewer-administered questionnaire adapted from related literature (2, 12, 19, 20, 24, 37, 38). To ensure the consistency of the questionnaires, the English version was translated into Afaan Oromo for data collection and retranslated into English by a professional translator. The questionnaires contained three parts and 45 items composed of 7 items relating to socio-demographic characteristics, 10 items relating to obstetrics-related factors, and 28 items relating to satisfaction assessment questions.

Pretesting was conducted on 50 study participants (50 mothers) who gave birth in Inchini Primary Hospital. The collected data were entered into EpiData version 4.62 and then exported to SPSS version 25. Cronbach's alpha of the tools was assessed, which was 0.85. One day of training was provided for the data collectors and supervisors regarding the data collection procedure, tools, the purpose of the study, and ethical considerations. Data collectors were strictly supervised. At the end of each day, the questionnaire was reviewed and checked for completeness by the supervisors, and corrections were made.

2.7. Variables

The dependent variable was maternal satisfaction with intrapartum care and the independent variables were socio-demographic characteristics (age, place of residence, educational status, occupational status) and obstetric history of mothers (parity, duration of labor, status of current pregnancy, mode of delivery, maternal outcome, fetal outcome, ANC follow-up, waiting time).

2.8. Operational definitions

Maternal satisfaction with intrapartum care was measured using 28 items, composed of three dimensions: interpersonal care aspect (14 items), information aspect (7 items), and physical birth environment (structural) (7 items). Participants were asked to rate their satisfaction level using a 5-point Likert scale (1 = strongly disagree, 2 = disagree, 3 = neutral, 4 = agree, and 5 = strongly agree). The 5-point Likert scale was merged into two categories of outcome variables for analysis purposes. Strongly disagree, disagree, and neutral responses were coded as “0”, whereas agree and strongly agree were coded as “1”. Then, responses to 28 measuring items were added and converted to give an overall score for the women's levels of satisfaction.

Satisfied: Mothers who scored 75% or more in the 28 items of the mothers’ satisfaction questionnaires were categorized as satisfied with the overall care received.

Unsatisfied: Mothers who scored below 75% in the 28 items of the mothers' satisfaction questionnaires were categorized as unsatisfied for overall satisfaction (17, 34, 37, 39, 40).

Waiting time: The time between admissions to the time seen by the healthcare providers (41).

Maternal outcome: Mothers were considered to have had complications if they developed at least one of the following: postpartum hemorrhage, puerperal sepsis, perineal and cervical lacerations, and retained placenta. Mothers who had none of the complications listed above and were clinically assessed as good were considered normal.

2.9. Data processing and analysis

The collected data were checked for completeness, entered into the EpiData manager version 4.62, and exported to SPSS version 25 for data analysis. Descriptive analysis (frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviation) and inferential analysis were conducted. Variance inflation factors (VIF) were utilized to screen for multicollinearity and a VIF of less than 10 was employed as a cutoff point to diagnose multicollinearity.

Model goodness of fit was checked by the Hosmer–Lermeshow test and was found to be 0.78. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted. Variables with a p-values 0.25 in bivariate analysis were transferred to multivariable analysis. AOR (adjusted odds ratio) with a 95% confidence interval was computed, and the p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant in the multivariable. The results are presented using text, tables, and charts.

2.10. Ethical consideration

Ethical clearance to conduct the study was obtained from the Salale University College of Health Science Ethical Review committee (Ref number HSC/878/2022). Informed written consent was also obtained from each study participant after the objectives of the study were explained. Participation in the study was based on their volunteer status. The information obtained from the participants was kept confidential. All methods were carried out in accordance with relevant guidelines and regulations.

3. Results

A total of 420 women were interviewed, making the response rate 98.33%. The seven questionnaires that were not completed were excluded from the analysis (Table 1).

Table 1. Sample size determination for the second objective of intrapartum care maternal satisfaction among mothers who gave birth in the South West Shewa Zone, Oromia region, Ethiopia, 2022.

3.1. Socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents

The minimum age of respondents was 18 years, while the maximum was 45 years, with a mean age of 28.04 (SD± 6.63). Among the 413 study participants, more than half, (236, 57.1%) of women were living in rural areas. More than three-quarters of the study participants were married (314, 76%), and 141 (34.1%) women had completed secondary education (see Table 2).

Table 2. Socio-demographic characteristics of mothers who gave birth in public hospitals, South West Shewa, Ethiopia, 2022 (n = 413).

3.2. Maternal obstetrics characteristics

In this study, among the 413 respondents, more than half (237, 57.4%) of mothers were multiparous. More than three-quarters (323, 78.2%) of women had planned their current pregnancy. The majority of the respondents (354, 85.7%) had ANC follow-ups. However, only 171 (48.3%) women completed the fourth visit (see Table 3).

Table 3. Obstetrics characteristics of mothers who gave birth in public hospitals, South West Shewa, Ethiopia, 2022 (n = 413).

3.3. Maternal satisfaction with intrapartum care

The findings of this study reveal that the overall maternal satisfaction with intrapartum care was 245 (59.32%) [95% CI: 55–64] (see Figure 2).

Figure 2. Pie chart shows the overall maternal satisfaction with intrapartum care among mothers who gave birth in public hospitals in the South West Shewa Zone, Ethiopia, 2022.

3.4. Maternal satisfaction with intrapartum care related to interpersonal care

The findings of this study show that 268 (64.9%) of the respondents were satisfied with the privacy they were provided during childbearing. Among 413 mothers, more than one-third (295, 71.4%) received a warm welcome. Regarding healthcare providers' stay with mothers, 315 (76.3%) of the mothers were satisfied. More than three-quarters (332, 80.4%) of women were satisfied with the monitoring of their labor progress by caregivers. Concerning assistance in early ambulation, 318 (77%) mothers were satisfied with the intrapartum care they received (see Table 4).

Table 4. Interpersonal-related maternal satisfaction with intrapartum care among mothers who gave birth in public hospitals in the South West Shewa Zone, Ethiopia, 2022 (n = 413).

3.5. Maternal satisfaction with intrapartum care related to information

According to the result of the current study, 252 (61%) mothers were satisfied with the information given about the result of their examination. A total of 323 (78.2%) and 267 (64.6%) of the respondents were satisfied with the information given by healthcare providers about the progress of their labor and personal hygiene, respectively (see Table 5).

Table 5. Information-related maternal satisfaction with intrapartum care among those who gave birth in public hospitals in the South West Shewa Zone, Ethiopia, 2022(n = 413).

3.6. Maternal satisfaction with intrapartum care related to health facility structure

The results of this study showed that 321 (77.7%) of the respondents were satisfied with the cleanliness of the delivery room. Among the 413 mothers, 331 (80.1%) and 330 (79.9%)were satisfied with getting prescribed drugs and laboratory tests in the health facilities, respectively. Concerning the availability and cleanliness of toilets, less than half (203, 49.2%) of the mothers were satisfied (see Table 6).

Table 6. Structure-related maternal satisfaction with intrapartum care among mothers who gave birth in public hospitals in the South West Shewa Zone, Ethiopia, 2022 (n = 413).

3.7. Factors associated with maternal satisfaction with intrapartum care

According to this study, the age of mothers, marital status, educational status, labor duration, maternal complications during labor and delivery, fetal outcome, and waiting time were identified as candidate variables for multivariable logistic regression analysis. After controlling for possible confounding variables by multivariable logistic analysis, labor duration, maternal complications during labor and delivery, and waiting time were significantly associated with maternal satisfaction with intrapartum care at a p-value of <0.05.

This study's findings show that the mothers whose labors lasted 12 h or less were [AOR = 1.59 (95% CI:1.03–2.44)] more likely to be satisfied with their intrapartum care than those whose labors lasted longer than 12 h. In this study, women who did not develop obstetric complications during labor and delivery were [AOR = 2.57(95% CI: 1.30–5.07)] more likely to be satisfied compared to those who developed obstetric complications. In addition, women who waited 15 min or less to be seen by the healthcare providers were [AOR = 2.06 (95% CI: 1.21–3.52)] two times more likely to be satisfied compared to women who waited more than 30 min (see Table 7).

Table 7. Bivariate and multivariable logistics regression analysis for maternal satisfaction with intrapartum care among mothers who gave birth in public hospitals in South West Shewa, Ethiopia, 2022 (n = 413).

4. Discussion

Maternal satisfaction with labor and delivery service is an important outcome measure for the quality of care and provision of services. This study aims to assess maternal satisfaction with intrapartum care at public hospitals in South West Shewa. Accordingly, the overall percentage of mothers who were satisfied with intrapartum care in this study was 59.32% [95% CI: 55–64]. This study is in line with the study conducted in the West Shewa zone (60.8%) (40) and the Bench-Maji Zone, Ethiopia (63.25%) (36). The probable justification for the observed inline findings could be due to the study design and study setting because both studies were conducted using a facility-based cross-sectional study design at the zonal level.

However, the findings of this study are higher than the studies conducted in West Shewa, Central Ethiopia (36.6%) (42), at St Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa Ethiopia (19%) (16), in Gondar Teaching Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia (31.3%) (43). The difference in the study area, the standard of the healthcare facility providing intrapartum care, and the variation in the quality of the care provided could all be contributing factors to this variance.

On the contrary, the findings of this study are lower than the studies conducted in Ethiopia, such as in West Gojjam (88%) (24), Hawassa City (87.7%) (17), Wolaita Sodo University Teaching and Referral Hospital (67.3%) (38), Harar hospitals, Eastern Ethiopia (84.7%) (44), Egypt (78.5%) (13). Variations in the research environment, health facility infrastructures, and socio-demographic characteristics of the study populations might be the cause of these disparities.

This study found that a mother who was considered normal after delivery was more likely to be satisfied with intrapartum care. This finding is similar to that of a study conducted in Nekemte Specialized Hospital in Western Ethiopia (2). This is due to the possibility that women without difficulties may be satisfied with the care they received, which could result in satisfaction. The other probable justification might be that mothers with complications blame the service of the health facility and give a negative response. Another reason could be mothers who experience complications during intrapartum may believe it to be the fault of the healthcare givers who attended her or the hospital in general, resulting in reduced trust in delivering at a health facility.

According to the current study, women whose labor lasts 12 h or less are more likely to be satisfied with their intrapartum care than mothers whose labor lasts more than 12 h. This was similar to the previous study conducted in Eastern Ethiopia (45) and Nekemte Specialized Hospital in Western Ethiopia (2). This could be a result of the fact that prolonged labor can exhaust a woman and subject her to repeated obstetric procedures like vaginal examinations (46), and as time goes on, anxiety about the birth's outcome may also rise, decreasing maternal satisfaction (47).

Furthermore, the findings of this study show that immediate care without delay as soon as women arrived at health facilities had a positive association with maternal satisfaction with intrapartum care. Women who waited less than 15 min to be seen by healthcare providers were more satisfied with their intrapartum care. This study was supported by a study conducted in the Harari regional state, Ethiopia (45) and Nekemte Specialized Hospital in Western Ethiopia (2). This might be a result of providing immediate care to women in labor, which could meet their expectations and lessen complications during labor and delivery, leading to maternal satisfaction.

5. Conclusion and recommendations

The results of the current study conclude that more than half of mothers were satisfied with their intrapartum care. Mothers' labor and delivery outcomes, labor duration, and waiting time were significantly associated with maternal satisfaction with intrapartum care.

Hospital managers and healthcare providers should focus their efforts on labor and delivery services in order to increase maternal satisfaction with intrapartum care. Additionally, in order to increase maternal satisfaction with intrapartum care, waiting times should be decreased, extended labor should be managed immediately, and problems during labor and delivery should be identified and treated early.

6. Limitations of the study

Limitations of this study include its cross-sectional design, which is unable to show a cause-and-effect relationship; its restriction to public hospitals; and potential response biases due to social desirability. However, by interviewing the women as they prepared to leave hospital, the authors aimed to reduce prejudices.

Data availability statement

The original contributions presented in the study are included in the article/Supplementary Material, further inquiries can be directed to the corresponding author.

Ethics statement

The studies involving human participants were reviewed and approved by Salale University college of health sciences research ethics committee. The patients/participants provided their written informed consent to participate in this study.

Author contributions

All the authors made substantial contributions to the conception, design, acquisition of data, or analysis and interpretation of the data. They all took part in drafting the article or revising it critically for important intellectual content and decided to submit it to the current journal. All authors gave final approval of the version to be published and agreed to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Funding

This research work was funded by Salale University. The funder had no role in study design, data collection, analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.

Acknowledgments

We would like to express our thanks to Salale University for funding this research. Secondly, we would also like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the North Shewa zonal Health office for their cooperation. Last but not least, we would also like to acknowledge the supervisors, data collectors, and study participants.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Publisher's note

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References