Influence of intrapartum care on women's satisfaction with child birth in public hospitals in Kenya: a case of Kisii Level Five Hospital, Kisii County

Abstract

This was a descriptive survey aimed at investigating the influence of intrapartum care practices on women's satisfaction with childbirth in public hospitals: A case study of Kisii Level 5 Hospital. The study was guided by four objectives namely, to determine the extent to which provision of physical facilities influence women's satisfaction with child birth in Kisii level Five Hospital, to determine the extent to which provision of consumables influence women's satisfaction with child birth in Kisii Level Five Hospital, to identify how the ,ain management methods influence women's satisfaction with child birth in Kisii Level Five Hospital and fmally to investigate how communication patterns of healthcare providers influence women's satisfaction with child birth in Kisii Level Five Hospital. The study was to test four hypotheses namely, there no significant relationship between provision of physical facilities and women's satisfaction with child birth in Kisii Level Five Hospital, there is no significant relationship between provision of consumables and women's satisfaction with child birth in Kisii Level Five Hospital, there is no significant relationship between pain management method and women's satisfaction with child birth in Kisii Level Five Hospital and there is no significant relationship between communication patterns of healthcare workers and women's satisfaction with child birth in Kisii Level Five Hospital.

The study population was 200 women who had sought delivery services in Kisii level Five Hospital in September 2012. Systematic sampling method was used to select a sample of 132 women from the study population to participate in the study. A structured questionnaire and a structured interview schedule were used to collect data from respondents. The collected data was 'analyzed and broken down in to frequencies and percentages using the SPSS computerpackuge and presented using tables. The hypotheses were tested manually using the Chi-square method: The analyzed data showed that majority of the physical facilities were provided. The beds, lockers were inadequate and therefore shared by more than one patient. Consumables were provided to majority of the respondents. However, the quality of food and porridge was not palatable to majority of the respondents. The most commonly used methods of pain management were deep breaths and back massage and some respondents observed that soft music was also a good pain management method dunng the period. Relatives were never allowed to stay WIth the women during the intrapartum period. The staffs were able to provide privacy to patients during examinations. Majority of the staffs were described as caring and concerned about the welfare of the women. However there were a few staffs were rude and not available when needed most by the women. The study recommends that chairs be provided for. relatives; that relatives should be allowed to stay with women during the intrapartum period; that enough linen should be provided to women and that staffs be trained on customer care skills to know how to handle women in labour.