Abstract:
Background: Reproductive and child health clinic attendance is vital in
offering family planning health education among women of reproductive
age in Tanzania. During these visits, group education sessions on modern
contraception is offered to women before receiving the specific services they
went for. Those who show interest with modern contraception proceed to
individualized sessions on adopting one of the methods. Therefore, being
satisfied during the group session is paramount to adopting modern
contraception. This study therefore sought to assess the level of client
satisfaction with the family planning health education among women of
reproductive age from selected clinics in Dar es Salaam.
Methodology: This was an observational study conducted in selected
Reproductive Health clinics in three municipalities within Dar es Salaam
region. Facilities were grouped by districts and ownership from which one
third were systematically picked to provide 8 participants each. Interviewer
led completion of the study tool was employed to assess satisfaction
parameters. Analysis on satisfaction was all or none from a 5-point rating
scale and association calculated with significance set at a p-value of less
than 5% and 95% confidence interval.
Results: There was a general higher satisfaction with the family health
education offered during the visit period. Satisfaction with family planning
health education was significantly higher among women with higher parity
(p=0.009), employed (p=0.00001), and were attended to by a clinician
(p=0.0006). A significant disparity within municipalities was also noted
(p=0.005). Private facilities, shorter time in facilities, and non-cash
payments did not significantly influence satisfaction.
Conclusion: Family planning health education satisfaction is high among
women of the reproductive age group in Dar es Salaam clinics. We need to
explore how this satisfaction is translated to reduce the unmet needs for
modern contraception in Tanzania. Furthermore, whether this high
satisfaction translates into good knowledge remains unexplored.
