Satisfaction of Post natal care Delivered to women attending Primary Health Care centers regarding quality improvement of postnatal services in Baghdad-Al Karkh district

Abstract

Background: The quality of care provided to the women and infants is a key determinant in maternal outcome and that simple change in practice can save many lives.
Aims: To identify the satisfaction of clients regarding quality improvement of postnatal services in primary health care centers within the Al-Karkh district of Baghdad.
Method: This study across sectional design study was conducted from October 2024 to May2025 which include six primary health care centers (3 family health care center and, 3 primary health care center) and four in the outskirts (1 family health, 3 primary care), and the total number of clients required during the study period was 150 mother attending postnatal care in primary health care centers, direct face-to-face interviews with all participant recruitment, structured -questionnaire forms were designed to estimate client satisfaction toward health care services during their postnatal  visits.
Results: About 75% of clients were satisfied with overall post-natal care and 12% of clients were dissatisfied. Also the result shows that 13% of mothers visit was within 1st week after delivery , 45% of mothers visit was within 1-2 weeks and 42% of mothers visit was after second week postnatal. It was found that 52% of client satisfaction with baby checkups was satisfied, 24% of client satisfaction with baby checkups was neutral and 25% of client satisfaction with baby checkups was dissatisfied, The result show that 62% of clients was satisfied with support and advice on breastfeeding,30% of client was neutral with support and advice on breastfeeding and 8% of clients was dissatisfy with support and advice on breastfeeding,  75% of clients were satisfied with communication and respect  from  healthcare  providers,19%  of  clients  were  neutral  satisfied  with communication and respect from healthcare providers and 6%% of clients was dissatisfied with communication and respect from healthcare providers, the result show that 35% of clients were satisfied support for family planning,25% of clients were naturally satisfied support for family planning and 39% of clients were dissatisfied support for family planning, the result show that54% of clients were satisfied with quality of counseling on contraceptive options, 33% of client were naturally satisfied with quality of counseling on contraceptive options and 13% of clients were dissatisfied with quality of counseling on contraceptive options, the result show that 35% of clients were satisfied with maternal care (wound care), 30% of clients were naturally satisfied with maternal care (wound care) and 35% of clients were dissatisfied with maternal care (wound care), the result show that 20% of knowledge of infant care was clear,36% of knowledge of infant care was neutrally clear,44% of knowledge of infant care was unclear.
Conclusion: The study highlights both strengths and critical gaps in maternal healthcare service and the importance of continuous assessment and evaluation of PNC to develop an immediate plan at the level of health departments and submitted to decision-makers in the Ministry of Health.