Purpose: Improving hospital service access and mothers' care are said to be the best approaches for decreasing maternal mortality. This study aims to evaluate prenatal care (PNC) and suggest ways to improve hospital and health center maternity services.
Design/methodology/approach: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study to evaluate prenatal care services in three domains: service structure; care process; and outcomes. Using non-randomized quota sampling, 600 PNC clients were assessed in 12 pre-natal clinics. Two checklists were used to assess facilities and care process and a questionnaire to assess client satisfaction. Validity and reliability were assessed and confirmed.
Findings: Six hundred subjects, averaging 29.3 (+/- 9.4) weeks pregnancy, were included. Assessing different care processes demonstrated the following compliance to standards: counseling process 55.5 per cent (+/- 21.2); history-taking 48.71 per cent (+/- 11.4); vital signs assessment 53.4 per cent (+/- 10.6); general examination 30.2 per cent (+/- 13.3); obstetrical examination 91.8 per cent (+/- 27); blood tests 93.8 per cent (+/- 21.9); urinary tests 86.9 per cent (+/- 26.3); clients' education about peri-natal-risk 39.7 per cent (+/- 27.1). Results showed that 0.54 per cent (+/- 13.1) of clients were satisfied with care processes.
Research limitations/implications: Clients and providers were informed about the study's evaluation processes, which may have affected the results.
Practical implications: Study method and results can be used to improve PNC services.
Originality/value: This is the first time a study has focused on Iranian PNC structures, processes and outcomes.