Factors determining satisfaction among facility-based maternity clients in Nepal

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Services Research
• Maternal Health

Background:

• Nepal's health system faces quality challenges with rising institutional deliveries.
• A nationally representative survey was used to assess maternity care satisfaction.

Purpose of the Study:

• Identify key determinants of client satisfaction with maternity care in Nepal.
• Inform strategies to enhance the quality of maternal healthcare services.

Main Methods:

• 447 exit interviews with women post-delivery or with obstetric complications.
• Client satisfaction measured using an 8-item scale; index computed via ordinal principal component analysis.
• Multivariate probit model employed to analyze factors influencing satisfaction.

Main Results:

• Longer waiting times and overcrowding were linked to dissatisfaction.
• Opportunity to ask questions positively correlated with client satisfaction.
• Hill districts and rural areas reported higher satisfaction compared to urban/mountain/terai areas.

Conclusions:

• Reducing waiting times and overcrowding can improve maternal healthcare quality.
• Allowing mothers adequate time for questions is crucial for satisfaction.
• Increased client satisfaction may lead to greater facility utilization and recommendations.