Factors affecting satisfaction level of mothers using free maternity services in Murang'a County hospital, Kenya

Abstract

Free maternity services initiative enables mothers to easily access skilled birth attendants in hospitals at no cost. Morang’a County referral hospital is one of the hospitals offering these services. The current study aimed at determining the factors affecting satisfaction level of mothers using free maternity services in Murang'a County hospital. Questionnaires were used to collect data from 384 mothers who had delivered in the hospital using systematic random sampling method. Duly completed questionnaires were analysed using SPSS version 24 and results presented in tables and charts. The study findings indicated that the free maternal services have reduced neonatal and maternal deaths by approximately 67.5%. The free maternity satisfaction level of the mothers was established to be high at 67.8%. In conclusion the need to maintain and sustain this initiative is worthwhile. The ministry of health ought to increase civic education to all citizens on benefits of free skilled birth attendance.