Satisfaction of antenatal care services and its associated factors among pregnant women in selected public health facilities in Kandahar, Afghanistan

Research indicates that satisfaction with antenatal care (ANC) services remains suboptimal across several low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). However, there is a research gap on the satisfaction of ANC services in Afghanistan. Therefore, this study aims to assess satisfaction of ANC services and its associated factors among pregnant women in selected public health facilities in Kandahar, Afghanistan. A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 482 pregnant women attending ANC services in four comprehensive healthcare centers in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Satisfaction of ANC services was measured by nine items on a five-point Likert scale. A multivariable linear regression was used to determine factors associated with higher ANC satisfaction scores. Overall, 48.9% (95% CI: 44.4%–53.5%) of the pregnant women were satisfied with ANC services. Women with higher educational attainment (β = 1.61, P = 0.006) and household income (β = 1.57, P = 0.024), those who received more ANC service components (β = 1.02, P < 0.001), and those with a history of stillbirth (β = 1.97, P = 0.021) were more likely to report higher ANC satisfaction scores. About half of the women were satisfied with ANC services. Women’s educational attainment, receipt of higher ANC service components, higher household income, and history of stillbirth were associated with higher ANC satisfaction scores. Further population-based and longitudinal studies are needed to confirm these associations and inform context-specific strategies to improve ANC services and women’s experiences.