Abstract

Exploring patient satisfaction can contribute to quality maternity care but is not routinely conducted in many Middle Eastern countries. This study investigated the prevalence and factors associated with satisfaction during labor and birth among Jordanian women using a descriptive cross-sectional design. Women (n=298) were recruited from four maternal and child health centers in Al-Mafraq city, Jordan. Participants completed an intrapartum care scale which measured satisfaction with three areas of care: interpersonal, information and involvement in decision making, and physical environment. Overall, only 17.8% of women were satisfied with intrapartum care. Around 13% of women were satisfied with interpersonal care, 20.5% with information and involvement in decision making, and 18.8% with physical birth environment. Regression analyses revealed that low satisfaction was associated with experiencing an episiotomy, poor pain relief during labour, and vaginal birth. Health care professionals, policy-makers as well as hospital administrators need to consider the factors that contribute to low satisfaction with childbirth in any effort to improve care.  

Key words: Labour, birth, Jordan, maternity care, midwife, patient satisfaction.