User's Satisfaction with Maternity Waiting Home Services in Jimma Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia: Implications for Maternal and Neonatal Health Improvement

Background: Maternity waiting home (MWH) is a temporary residence where pregnant women who rarely access basic obstetric cares stay. Objective: The study was aimed to assess women’s MWH satisfaction. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in three randomly selected districts of Jimma zone, Oromia, Ethiopia. A sample of 362 women who ever used MWH was recruited in the study. The sample size was proportionally allocated to each district. A simple random sampling was used. Data were collected using a pretested questionnaire-developed mainly based on MWH guideline. MWH standard of construction and utensils, services, social support and interpersonal communication (IPC) etc. were the major components of the tools. Data were analyzed using Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 21.0 statistical software. Reliability analysis was conducted for specific and overall satisfaction domains. Multiple linear regressions (β) were performed to identify predictors of satisfaction with MWH, p<0.05. Result: A total of 362 mothers were participated in the study (response rate=98%). The overall mothers ’ satisfaction with MWH was 68.8%. Higher mothers’ satisfaction was from social support aspects: one to five women network (89.5%), cleaner/servant in MWH (88.9%) and husband (87.3%). And, lower satisfaction was from ambulance (24%), recreational (38.5%) and food (49.4%) services and utensils in MWH (56.2%). Nearly 2/5th users claim they do not come again and recommend MWH for others. Women’s overall satisfaction with MWH was predicted by: length of stay in MWH (≤ 14 days), utensils in MWH, services (prenatal, food, sanitation, recreational), social supports (family, women’s 1-5 networks, and servants) and IPC with Health Care Workers (HCWs). Conclusion: Women ’ s overall satisfaction with MWH was moderate (68.8%). However, most services (ambulance, recreational, food, sanitation) and MWH standard (construction and utensils) were lower extreme of satisfaction dimensions. Most services and length of stay in MWH predicted overall satisfaction; indicating MWH recommended services were also valuable for users. These low satisfaction and predictor variables will be barriers to women who never used and stopping return use. The health system should avail services recommended by the guideline while strengthening social support, and shorter stay in MWH so that users advocate the innovation.