Assessing Mothers’ Perception of Maternal Health Services in Rural Areas of Yatta, Hebron: A Pilot Study from Palestine

Abstract

Access to high-quality care during pregnancy and childbirth is a challenge for women living in Al-Masafer of Yatta and Bedouin areas, considered C areas under Israeli administrative & security supremacy. Realizing clients' perception and satisfaction with the quality of maternal healthcare services will enable maternal health decision-makers & providers to assess the impact of their services on the clients' demands and perceptions. This study aims to measure women's perception of maternal health services provided in Al- Masafer of Yatta and Bedouin areas. A cross-sectional descriptive quantitative study of 59 women, selected purposefully from Al-Masafer of Yatta and the Bedouin areas, was conducted in September 2021. The mean age of the respondents was 28 years, with a range of 23-34 years old. After investigating their Perception of Maternal Health Services in Al-Masafer of Yatta, the mean of their answers was as the following: provided services: 2.87 was moderate, the professional treatment: 2.80 was moderate, degree of obstacles facing women in access to reproductive health services: 3.50 was moderate, and health promotion provided to women: 1.92 was low, while the total overall mean 3.01 was moderate. Despite the obstacles faced by women to reach maternal health centers, the overall level of health care provided at maternal health centers was modest in both Al-Masafer of Yatta and the Bedouin areas.