Assessment of the quality and satisfaction of maternity health care services among post-natal mothers, Tanga regional referral hospital, Tanzania

Abstract

Background: Financial risk protection against the cost of unforeseen ill-health has become a global concern, as evidenced by the 2005 World Health Assembly resolution WHA58.33 which called upon all member states to "plan the transition to universal coverage of their citizens". In most African countries maternal and under-five services are officially exempted from user fee payment but in practice, these policies are not implemented. In 2012, the Tanzania National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) with technical support from Germany began implementing a scheme of health insurance in Mbeya, Mtwara, Lindi, and Tanga regions. The scheme provides free health insurance to women during pregnancy and the post-natal period up to 3 months after delivery. The broad objective: This study assessed the quality and satisfaction of the maternity health care services provided under KfW scheme among post-natal mothers at Tanga Regional Referral Hospital. Methodology: A cross-sectional study design was conducted, using quantitative approach. Standardized Structured Likert scale questionnaires were used to collect data. The simple random technique was used to obtain a sample size of 217 participants and all participated in the study during data collection. Collected data were analyzed by Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 21. Results: The study found that most of the women who deliver at Tanga Regional Referral Hospital are satisfied with the quality of care received. In addition, the study found that socio-demographic characteristics in association with post-natal mothers’ satisfaction of KfW services were statistically significantly associated with the level of education (0.022). But, Age, parity status, the area of residence, occupation and marital status were not found to be associated with satisfaction of KfW services. Conclusions: Most post-natal mothers who deliver at Tanga Regional Referral Hospital are satisfied with the quality of maternity health care services offered by KfW services, but a more educated woman is moderately satisfied. KfW scheme found to be useful to poor pregnant women to adequate health services due to the fact that most of the drugs and medical supplies are now available.