Women's satisfaction with maternity care and its associated factors in Ikot Omin, Nigeria

Background/Aims Women's satisfaction with care during the maternity period is a critical determinant of sustained use of maternity services and positive birth outcomes. This study examined factors associated with women's satisfaction with care during the maternity period in Ikot Omin, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. Methods This was a cross-sectional descriptive study of 404 women of reproductive age who had received maternity care services from health facilities or were currently receiving either antenatal, delivery or postnatal services from health facilities in Ikot Omin. Data were collected using a 31-item validated questionnaire that asked questions on sociodemographic data, healthcare workers' attitudes and satisfaction with maternity care. The data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics, with the chi squared test and logistic regression being used to calculate association between variables. Results Less than half (47.3%) of the respondents were satisfied with their maternity care. The participants' overall satisfaction was statistically significantly associated with healthcare workers' attitudes (P<0.000), maternal age (P<0.000), parity (P<0.000), educational level (P<0.000) and marital status (P=0.035). Conclusions Respondents' satisfaction with maternity care was varied and associated with healthcare workers' attitudes, as well as sociodemographic characteristics. Policies should be developed by stakeholders to encourage healthcare workers to adopt a positive attitude that is favourable to women during this sensitive and crucial period of women's lives. Mothers' educational level should be enhanced. Healthcare workers should be exposed to group reflection on the ethical codes relating specifically to their profession and value clarification sessions to improve their attitudes.