Antenatal care quality: pregnant women's experiences attending a maternity teaching hospital in Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract

Background/Aims Antenatal care prepares pregnant women for a safe childbirth. However, little is known in Ibadan, Nigeria about pregnant women's perception of the quality of antenatal care. This study's aim was to explore these perceptions. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with 289 pregnant women attending Adeoyo Maternity Teaching Hospital in Ibadan. Data on participants' sociodemographic characteristics and their perception of antenatal care were gathered using a self-administered questionnaire. The relationship between sociodemographics and perception of antenatal care was tested using Pearson correlation and a one sample t-test was used to test the overall perception of the quality of care. Results Participants felt that the antenatal care that they received was of good quality. There was a significant relationship between perception of antenatal care and the reason for commencing antenatal care (P=0.012), as well as education (P=0.049). Conclusions Women felt they had received good quality antenatal care and were satisfied with the time spent with doctors and midwives, as well as the services they received during antenatal care. The quality of antenatal care should be sustained by creating awareness programmes to all individuals irrespective of educational attainment.