Perceived Quality of Health Care Provided to Mothers during Immediate Postpartum Period at Health Facilities in Kakamega County, Kenya

Abstract

Health care workers are essential in averting the high infant and mortality rates in Kenya. The immediate postpartum period is a delicate period when the mother and infant's health is in danger with evidence indicating the majority of deaths occurring during this period. The aim of the study was to assess mothers' perception of quality of care during the immediate postpartum period in selected facilities in Kakamega County in Kenya. Socio-demographic factors, knowledge and health services provided during the immediate postpartum period were evaluated. A cross-sectional descriptive study design to collect quantitative data was adopted. Self-administered questionnaires were utilized to collect data. The study participants were 257 postnatal mothers who were systematically sampled from facilities within Kakamega County. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS version 21.0. Descriptive statistics were used to present quantitative data in frequency tables, charts, and graphs. Inferential statics were done using Chi-Square tests at a 95% confidence interval (p<0.05). The results revealed majority of the women perceived the quality of postpartum care as slightly above average at 3.18(63.6%). 58.1% of participants had high knowledge on immediate postpartum care. Knowledge level (p = 0.018) had a significant association with the perceived postpartum care quality. Socio-demographic factors such as age (p=0.014), education (p=0.001), and parity (p=0.029) were associated with the perceived quality of postpartum care. Availability of family planning (p=0.050), immunization (p=0.001), and nutritional counseling services (p=0.012) was associated with the perceived quality of postpartum care. In conclusion the perceived quality of postpartum care was slightly above average with availability of health services positively influencing perception. Keywords: Perception, Quality, and Immediate postpartum care.