Assessment of birth satisfaction among the women attending the immunization clinics in South Delhi: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: A woman's satisfaction with childbirth services can have a significant impact on her mental health and ability to bond with her neonate. Indian women's satisfaction with childbirth services has been explored qualitatively, or by using nonstandard local questionnaires, but quantitative data gathered with standardized questionnaires are extremely limited Objective: The aim of this study is to assess the birth satisfaction level among women of South Delhi with institutional normal vaginal delivery and to determine the factors associated with it. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among the 102 mothers attending the immunization clinics of a primary care and a tertiary care center in South Delhi during March 2018–April 2018. A prevalidated, semi-structured, Hindi version 36-item Scale, with 10 domains, Scale for Measuring Maternal Satisfaction in normal birth was used. Statistical Analysis: Pearson Chi-square, Mann–Whitney test, and Fisher's exact test were applied as tests of significance. Results: The median age in completed years of the respondents was 24 years (interquartile range = 5). Majority, 58 (61.1%), of the participants, were more satisfied. Bribes were asked from 61.1% of the mothers. Demanding bribes, perceived competence of healthcare providers by the mothers, and the motivation given by others were significantly associated with the individual domains of birth satisfaction such as postpartum care satisfaction and overall support received. No significant association between the sociodemographic, birth time events and overall birth satisfaction levels was obtained. Conclusion: About 38.9% less satisfied mothers and the domain-specific associated factors give the scope for the areas to be worked on to improve the quality of maternal and patient-centric services. Hospitals should publicly declare and implement zero tolerance for bribes in the care of mothers.