Abstract:
Background: The quality of antenatal care is dependent on the qualifications of health care
providers, the number and frequency of ANC visits, the content of services received and the
kinds of information given to women during their ANC visits. Although the quantity rather than
quality of health services had been the focus historically in developing countries, ample
evidences suggests that quality of care or lack of it must be at the center of every discussion.
Hence, assessment of antenatal care quality in the study area is prudent.
Objectives: to assess the quality of antenatal care services in the public health facilities of,
Chencha district, Gamo Gofa Zone, Southern Ethiopia.
Methods: A facility based cross-sectional study employing both quantitative and qualitative
method was conducted from march-April 2016 among a sampled 350 pregnant women, 8 service
providers and 4 heads of the department in ANC clinics of Chencha district. Semi- structured
questionnaire, interview guide, resource inventory and 38 observation checklists were used to
obtain information. Data were analyzed using SPSS for windows version 20 logistic regression
model was used to identify predictor variables. Qualitative data were analyzed based on thematic
framework.
Result: - Fifty two point six percent of respondents were satisfied with the service provided. The
study revealed that residence, planning status of pregnancy, privacy, parity and counseling on
birth preparedness and complication readiness plan were the predictors of client satisfaction. The
qualitative part showed that, care providers didn’t have regular supervision, updates on ANC,
budget for preparing mother’s forum, and incentive. Although health centers have basic medical
equipments, all of the health institutions have no guidelines, different laboratory reagents, and
most of them did not have waiting area with shade, and private room to carryout ANC service.
Conclusion and recommendations: - In this study the overall quality of antenatal care service is
low. Even though 184(52.6%) of clients were satisfied, provision of health information is very
poor, providers need specific training on ANC, budget for provision of health education, regular
supervision, supply of drugs and laboratory reagent, incentive to provide quality of ANC service
and all health facilities did not have guideline. So that provision of adequate information on risk
factors, birth preparedness and complication readiness plan, regular update & supervision with
feedback for service providers, preparing ANC guide line at national level and proper usage of
the guideline and supply of reagents are most important.
