Evaluation of the utilization rate of and satisfaction with prenatal care among pregnant women referred to khorramabad therapeutic health centers in 2020 (a study in western iran)

Introduction & Objective: Prenatal care is the most effective factor in improving pregnancy outcomes and ensuring the health of children in the future. This study aimed to evaluate the utilization rate of and satisfaction with prenatal care among pregnant women referred to Khorramabad therapeutic health centers in the first half of 2020. Methods: This is a descriptive-analytical study. The pregnant women in their last month of pregnancy were studied in terms of the utilization rate of and satisfaction with prenatal care. The participants were selected using a multi-stage stratified-clustering random sampling method. The data collection instrument, a three-part questionnaire, consisted of items on demographic information, the utilization rate of prenatal care, and the clients' satisfaction with the prenatal care provided in health centers. The reliability coefficient of the questionnaire was obtained to be 91%. The independent t-test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were utilized to analyze the data. Results: The results showed that the mean score of utilization rate of and satisfaction with prenatal care indicates the high level of utilization rate of and satisfaction with prenatal care services based on the scores range. The difference in the health services utilization rate score in the subjects was statistically significant (p <0.05) in terms of the type of pregnancy and a history of stillbirth. Additionally, the mean score of satisfaction with prenatal care services was statistically significant (p <0.05) by type of pregnancy, occupation, and number of children. Conclusion: In order to increase utilization rate of and satisfaction with prenatal care services, the custodians of health in Iran should take effective measures toward improving the quality of the care services provided, empowering service providers, equipping prenatal care centers, distributing centers properly in different areas, and holding continuous training courses.