Table 3 Characteristics, experiences and perceptions of care reported by postpartum exit interview participants
From: Quality of maternal and newborn health care at private hospitals in Iraq: a cross-sectional study
Clients with a spontaneous vaginal birth (n = 22) | Clients with a cesarean birth (n = 71) | Total (n = 93) | |
|---|---|---|---|
Client characteristics | |||
Age [Mean (SD)] | 28 (5) | 28 (7) | 28 (7) |
Highest level of school attended | |||
Primary school | 36% (8) | 30% (21) | 31.1% (29) |
Secondary school | 18% (4) | 25% (18) | 23.7% (22) |
Higher education | 46% (10) | 42% (30) | 43% (40) |
Declined to answer | –- | 3% (2) | 2% (2) |
Parity [Mean (SD)] | 1.59 (1.56) | 1.56 (1.64) | 1.57 (1.62) |
Past cesarean births [Mean (SD)] | 0.12 (0.33) | 1.35 (1.09) | 1.03 (1.09) |
Previous births with same facility or health worker [Mean (SD)] | 0.76 (1.30) | 0.71 (0.96) | 0.73 (1.05) |
Person-centered maternity care score | |||
Did the doctors, midwives or other healthcare providers call you by your name? | 82% (18) | 77% (52) | 78% (70) |
Did the doctors, midwives or other healthcare providers treat you with respect? | 100% (22) | 99% (67) | 99% (89) |
Did the doctors, midwives or other healthcare providers treat you in a friendly manner? | 100% (22) | 100% (68) | 100% (90) |
During examinations in the labor room, were you covered up with a cloth or blanket? | 82% (18) | –-a | 20% (18) |
Did you the feel the health workers involved you in decisions about your care? | 59% (13) | 75% (51) | 71% (64) |
Did the health workers ask your permission before doing examinations and procedures on you? | 82% (18) | 90% (61) | 88% (79) |
During delivery (labor), did you feel like you were able to be in the position of your choice (lithotomy, squatting, etc.)? | 18% (4) | –-a | 4% (4) |
Did the health workers explain to you why there were carrying our exams or procedures? | 68% (15) | 87% (59) | 82% (74) |
Did the health workers explain to you why and how they were giving you any medicines? | 55% (12) | 93% (63) | 83% (75) |
Did you feel like you could ask the health workers any questions you had? | 96% (21) | 100% (68) | 99% (89) |
Did the health workers talk to you about how you were feeling? | 73% (16) | 88% (60) | 84% (76) |
When you needed help, did you feel the health workers paid attention? | 96% (21) | 100% (68) | 99% (89) |
Did you feel the health workers took the best care of you? | 100% (22) | 100% (68) | 100% (90) |
Person-Centered Maternity Care Score (13-item scale, with 0–3 points possible for each item: 0 = no, never, 1 = yes, a few times, 2 = yes, most of the time, 3 = yes, all of the time) [Mean (SD)] | 28.4 (6.4) | 28.6 (4.1) | 28.5 (4.8) |
Minimum | 14 of 39 | 16 of 33a | 14 |
Maximum | 38 of 39 | 33 of 33a | 38 |
Client recall of counseling provided on postnatal care | |||
Using family planning after the birth of your baby to prevent unwanted pregnancy or space your next birth | 24% (15) | ||
Exclusive breastfeeding (not giving your baby any fluids or food in addition to breastmilk) | 68% (43) | ||
Where to access breastfeeding support in the community | 25% (16) | ||
Signs that the baby is hungry | 30% (19) | ||
Risks of using feeding bottles, teats and pacifiers | 32% (20) | ||
Nutrition (what is good for you to be eating after having your baby) | 71% (45) | ||
The importance of taking iron tablets after having your baby | 49% (31) | ||
What to do if you feel sad or depressed after giving birth | 6% (4) | ||
Health signs and symptoms for which you must immediately come back to the facility | 57% (36) | ||
Health signs and symptoms for which you must immediately bring your baby back to facility | 54% (34) | ||
Registration of the birth of your baby | 60% (38) | ||
Vaccinating, complete your vaccination and vaccinate your baby | 57% (36) | ||
How to engage and play with your baby | 10% (6) | ||
When to next visit a health facility for health checks for you and the baby | 70% (44) | ||
Client perceptions of service quality | |||
Felt the amount of time waiting to see a health worker was a problem | 5% (5) | ||
Felt the facility environment was clean | 95% (88) | ||
Felt they were physically mistreated (treated roughly, pushed, slapped, squeezed, pinched, restrained, etc.) | 3 (3%) | ||
Felt they were verbally mistreated (treated rudely, shouted at, insulted, etc.) | 2 (2%) | ||
Would recommend facility to family or friends | 99% (92) | ||