Elevating Antenatal Care Satisfaction Insights from Urban Ghanas Maternal Health Landscape

Introduction

In the ongoing mission to enhance maternal healthcare worldwide, Ghana’s urban antenatal care (ANC) programs stand out. A recent cross-sectional study in Kwabre East Municipality has shed light on the core determinants of maternal satisfaction, offering valuable takeaways for public health systems globally.

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Understanding the Stud

This Ghana-based research evaluated how women perceive ANC services by analyzing responses from 220 postnatal care attendees. The study applied a binary logistic regression model to pinpoint key factors influencing satisfaction levels.

Full study available at: https://doi.com/10.29328/journal.cjog.1001022

Key Findings at a Glance

• 92.7% of women were satisfied with ANC services.
• 81% attended four or more recommended visits.
• Stage of pregnancy, waiting time, and attitude of caregivers were critical satisfaction predictors.Women attended ANC mostly during the first trimester (40%).
• Majority walked to the clinic (52%), with 48% spending under 40 minutes per visit.

Major Determinants of Satisfaction

Timely Visits Enhance Trust

Women who accessed ANC early (particularly in their first trimester) were more likely to complete recommended visits and report high satisfaction. Early ANC use aids in timely management of complications and promotes better maternal outcomes.

Caregiver Attitude Makes the Difference

More than 70% rated caregiver attitude as “good.” A positive interaction between caregivers and patients fosters emotional support and builds trusta key factor also emphasized by the World Health Organization in their maternal health quality framework.

Continuity of Care Matters

Women who were consistently cared for by one healthcare provider reported higher satisfaction levels. This aligns with WHO’s advocacy for Focused Antenatal Care (FANC)—an individualized approach ensuring continuity and quality.

Short Wait Times Drive Better Utilization

More than 90% of the women accessed services within 40 minutes, which significantly boosted satisfaction. As echoed by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), minimizing clinic wait times can drastically improve maternal engagement.

Policy & Practice Implications

• Promote individualized ANC models with fewer, more consistent caregivers.
• Educate early through media, clinics, and community outreach—51% of women first learned about ANC during clinic visits.
• Encourage home-based ANC services in low-access areas for continuity and convenience.
• Improve health worker training to maintain respectful, patient-centered care standards.

For additional insights on maternal satisfaction and care policy, explore our Obstetrics & Gynecology section.

Anchoring on Accessibility

Even though most urban women walked to ANC centers, geographical ease alone wasn’t enough. The study shows perceived care quality had a greater influence on ANC utilization than travel time, reinforcing that access must be coupled with excellence.

Interested in exploring how maternal care models can be adapted globally A detailed analysis can be found in our main journal article.

Final Thoughts Satisfaction Fuels Sustainability

This research underscores that high maternal satisfaction is not just a metricit’s a motivator. Women who feel seen, supported, and swiftly attended to are more likely to follow through with recommended care, leading to healthier outcomes for both mother and baby.

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