Women's perceptions of the quality of emergency obstetric care in a referral hospital in rural Tanzania

OBJECTIVES: To assess perceptions of the quality of obstetric care of women who delivered in a rural Tanzanian referral hospital. METHODS: A descriptive-exploratory qualitative study, using semistructured in-depth interviews and participatory observation. Nineteen recently delivered women and 3 health workers were interviewed. RESULTS: Although most women held positive views about the care they received in hospital, several participants expressed major concerns about negative attitudes of healthcare workers. Lack of medical communication given by care providers constituted a major complaint. CONCLUSIONS: A more positive attitude by health workers and the provision of adequate medical information may promote a more positive hospital experience of women in need of obstetric care and enhance attendance.