Author/Authors :
Wilson، Andrew نويسنده Menzies Centre for Health Policy, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia , , Tabrizi، Jafar Sadegh نويسنده Public Health and Management Department, Faculty of Health and Nutrition,Tabriz University of Medical Sciences , , Gholipour، Kamal نويسنده Department of Health Services Management, Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran , , Farahbakhsh، Mostafa نويسنده Department of Psychology, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran Farahbakhsh, Mostafa
Abstract :
Background: Improving adherence to care standards is one way to improve quality
of delivered care. This study aimed to determine the degree of providersʹ adherence
to maternity care standards from the perspective of pregnant women.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 185 pregnant women in
their ninth month of pregnancy who received maternity care from health centres in
Tabriz, Iran. Participants were selected randomly from 40 health centres. Data
collection used a researcher-developed questionnaire based on Iranian Ministry of
Health (MOH) standards for maternity care. Questionnaire validity was reviewed
and confirmed by 10 experts.
Results: About 69% of pregnant mothers during their 9-month pregnancy received
at least six items of standard maternity care. Almost two-thirds of participants
received recommended maternity care at or above minimal standards for
some aspect, such as the number of care during pregnancy, referral to health centre
physician, and weight and blood pressure measurement. Some other services
such as measuring uterus height, review for oedema and varicosities, referral to a
dentist, listening for fetal heart sound and vaginal examination, were reported at
very low adherence to the Ministry of Health guidelines
Conclusion: A notable proportion of pregnant mothers reported receiving suboptimal
care indicating significant room for improving the quality of maternity care
based on Iranian MOH standards and guidelines. The results indicate potential
benefits from interventions to improve health care providers training and the
awareness of pregnant women about the standards for good maternity care.
