Antenatal care provided and its quality in field clinics in Gampaha District, Sri Lanka

A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in the Gampaha District in Sri Lanka to assess the quality of care provided at antenatal field clinics. Checklists were used to assess the structure and process attributes of quality. An interviewer administered questionnaire assessed the quality of information provided to the clients and client satisfaction. The findings indicated that several resource components need upgrading in the district. The majority of clinics did not have adequate seating arrangements, lacked a footstool, a height measuring instrument and Vitamin C. Less than 50% of the staff were present at 8.00 a.m. in eight clinics. Health education material was substandard in nine clinics. No supervisory notes were made during the preceding year in fourteen clinics. Testing urine for sugar and albumin was substandard in 11 and eight clinics, respectively. Physical examination of pregnant females was substandard in all 20 clinics. No information was provided on some routine procedures carried out at the clinic such as blood pressure monitoring, weight gain and vaccines given. Client satisfaction exceeded 95% in all aspects except building and infrastructure and time spent at the clinic.