Examining person-centred maternal care services at the Princess Christian Maternity Hospital, Freetown, Sierra Leone

Abstract

Background The World Health Organization includes women's experiences of care and person-centred outcomes as primary components in their quality-of-care framework for maternal and newborn health. Patients' perceptions of quality of care indicate how well health systems meet patients' expectations, as well as their level of trust in the system. Methods This study was a cross-sectional examination of person-centred maternal care service delivery, from the perspective of women who used the services of the Princess Christian Maternity Hospital in Sierra Leone. The care was measured using the person-centred maternity care survey, which was administered to 100 women at the hospital. Results Person-centred maternal care was found to be lacking in patient–provider interactions, especially in the areas of communication, autonomy and dignity and respect. Conclusions This study provides evidence regarding the extent to which person-centred maternity care is delivered at the Princess Christian Maternity Hospital. The findings could be used to target interventions to improve patient satisfaction and quality of care at the Princess Christian Maternity Hospital.