Patients’ Satisfaction with Antenatal Care: A Comparative Study Between Private and Public Healthcare Settings in Asante Mampong Municipality of Ghana.

Abstract

Antenatal care (ANC) is essential for improving maternal and neonatal health outcomes, yet variations in service quality, cost, and patient satisfaction exist between public and private healthcare settings. This study assessed and compared patient satisfaction with ANC services in public and private healthcare facilities in Mampong Municipality, Ghana. A cross-sectional study design was used, involving 285 pregnant women selected through random sampling. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and semi-structured interviews, and analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Findings revealed significant differences in service availability, waiting times and cost between public and private healthcare settings. Private facilities provided better access to medicines (88% vs. 52%, p = 0.001), nutritional supplements, and hygiene standards (87% vs. 50%, p = 0.002), while public facilities faced challenges such as overcrowding and resource constraints. Waiting times were significantly longer in public facilities, with 81% of public facility users experiencing long waits compared to 44% in private facilities (p = 0.001). Additionally, 69% of public facility users waited over 30 minutes compared to 39% in private settings (p = 0.002). Cost was a major factor influencing service preference, with 33% of private facility users spending GHS 401–600 per month on ANC, compared to only 18% in public hospitals (p<0.005). Despite these differences, overall satisfaction remained moderate to high, with healthcare provider professionalism (48% positive rating, mean = 3.9, SD = 1.0) and facility cleanliness (42% positive rating, mean = 3.7, SD = 1.2) being highly rated in both settings. The study indicates the need for policy interventions to enhance resource allocation in public facilities, improve waiting time management, and ensure affordable ANC services.