Maternal Satisfaction with Labour at the University of Ghana Hospital Accra: A Cross Sectional Survey

Abstract

Information on maternal experience with institutional birth is dearth in Ghana, and the few studies on this subject did not employ standardized internationally validated questionnaires/instruments. Using a structured questionnaire including a modified-Women’s Views of Birth Labour Satisfaction Questionnaire four (WOMBLSQ4), this study seeks to evaluate women’s birth experience with care during labour, birth, and lying-in period, at the University of Ghana Hospital in Accra. Using a quantitative cross-sectional study approach, 50 puerperal women in the lying-in ward and those seeking postnatal care less than three months after delivery at the University of Ghana Hospital were selected. A structured questionnaire comprising, amongst others, the internationally validated Women’s Views of Birth Labour Satisfaction Questionnaire fourth edition (WOMBLSQ4) was administered to respondents. In general, the maternal satisfaction with birth experience at the University of Ghana Hospital was high, with 52% and 38% of mothers rating their overall experience as excellent and good respectively. However, 20% of the participants expressed dissatisfaction with their overall birth experience at the health facility. Partner support received the highest negative rating on the birth experience accounting for 18% followed by continuity of care where 16% of the respondents reported not knowing their caregivers at the time of delivery. Though positive maternal birth experience among respondents was high, steps need to be taken to reduce the gaps in care identified by this study.