title: Perception of quality of maternal healthcare services among women utilising antenatal services in selected primary health facilities in Anambra State, Southeast Nigeria.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This is a cross-sectional descriptive study aimed at assessing antenatal care service attendees' perception of quality of maternal healthcare (MHC) services in Anambra State, southeast Nigeria.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 310 pregnant women utilising antenatal care (ANC) services in three purposively selected primary health centres (PHCs) in rural communities in Anambra State were studied. Reponses were elicited from the participants selected consecutively over a 4-month period, using a pre-tested, semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire on socio-demographic characteristics, utilisation and perception of MHC services. Data collected were analysed using SPSS version 17.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Findings showed that utilisation of facility for both antenatal (97.0%; 95% CI, 94.4-98.4%) and natal services (92.7%; 95% CI 89.2-95.2%) were quite high. Generally, most of the women were satisfied with MHC services (89.7%). Most of them were satisfied with the staff attitude (85.1%), waiting time (84.1%) and cost of services (79.5%). Being ≥30 years (X (2) = 4.61, P = 0.032), married (X (2) = 9.70, P = 0.008) and multiparous (X (2) = 9.14, P = 0.028), as well as utilisation of formal health facility for antenatal (X (2) = 26.94, P = 0.000) and natal (X (2) = 33.42, P = 0.000) services were associated with satisfaction with maternal health services.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study showed high level of satisfaction with quality of maternal health services among antenatal attendees and highlights the need to strengthen interventions that increase uptake of formal MHC services.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Obiageli F
authors.initials: OF
authors.lastname: Emelumadu
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine, Federal Medical Center, Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Ugochukwu Uchenna
authors.initials: UU
authors.lastname: Onyeonoro
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine, Federal Medical Center, Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Andrew Ugwunna
authors.initials: AU
authors.lastname: Ukegbu
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Nkiru N
authors.initials: NN
authors.lastname: Ezeama
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Chigozie Ozoemena
authors.initials: CO
authors.lastname: Ifeadike
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Obasi Kanu
authors.initials: OK
authors.lastname: Okezie
keywords: Perception; maternal health; mothers; satisfaction; utilisation