Parental satisfaction with neonatal care in tertiary hospitals in Nigeria: a multicenter cross-sectional study

Parental satisfaction serves as a vital indicator of quality in neonatal wards and reflects the effectiveness of care delivery. Quality improvement studies generate evidence that can shape best practices and strengthen neonatal services within specific settings. This study examined parental satisfaction with neonatal care and explored service delivery gaps to inform targeted interventions to improve outcomes.

This was a cross-sectional study that evaluated parent-neonate dyads in three tertiary hospitals in Nigeria. Parental experiences were assessed using a modified EMPATHIC-30 questionnaire. Optimal satisfaction was defined as a mean score ≥ 4/5 (80%). Bivariate and multivariable analyses identified predictors of overall satisfaction, reported as odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals.

A total of 503 mother-baby dyads were enrolled, with a male predominance (311; 61.8%). 64.6% of mothers were primary caregivers, and 76.7% of families were of middle socioeconomic status. Overall, 443 parents/caregivers (88.1%) were satisfied with the care and facilities. Proportions reporting optimal scores across care domains were communication (78.3%), family-centred care (77.5%), and emotional support and compassion (79.7%). Environment and infrastructure had the lowest satisfaction scores (47.1%). Bivariate analysis showed significant associations between satisfaction and newborn sex, caregiver type, family status, maternal employment status and the care domains. In multivariable analysis, a female infant was associated with lower satisfaction (aOR = 0.241, 95% CI 0.092 to 0.626, p = 0.004). Predictors of higher satisfaction included family-centered care (aOR = 8.659; 95% CI 2.846 to 26.348; p < 0.001), emotional support and compassion (aOR = 3.783; 95% CI: 1.140 to 12.557; p = 0.030), quality of care and treatment (aOR = 4.318; 95% CI: 1.144 to 16.301; p = 0.031) and satisfaction with nurses' performance (aOR = 28.495; 95% CI: 9.234 to 87.931; p < 0.001).

While overall satisfaction with newborn care in tertiary hospitals in Nigeria was high, parents and caregivers identified notable gaps in the physical environment. Targeted improvements in these areas are essential to enhance the caregiver experience and improve the overall quality of neonatal care.