A cross-sectional study on the quality of care provided by lower health facilities in Kyegegwa district, Uganda.

Robert Mushabe; Francis  Kazibwe; Waswa Bright  Laban

doi:10.51168/sjhrafrica.v6i9.2019

Authors

Robert Mushabe Faculty of Health Sciences, Bishop Stuart University
Francis Kazibwe Faculty of Health Sciences, Bishop Stuart University
Waswa Bright Laban Faculty of Health Sciences, Bishop Stuart University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51168/sjhrafrica.v6i9.2019

Keywords:

Quality of Care, Lower Health Facilities, Maternal Health, Uganda, Patient-Centered Care

Abstract

Maternal and neonatal health remains a pressing global concern, particularly in low-resource settings such as Kyegegwa District, Uganda. Despite ongoing improvements in healthcare infrastructure, gaps in service delivery at lower health facilities contribute to persistently high maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to assess the quality of maternal and neonatal care provided by lower health facilities in Kyegegwa District.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 80 respondents, including mothers attending antenatal, delivery, and postnatal services. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics, bivariate, and multivariate analyses to determine associations between quality of care and influencing factors.

Results

Of the participants, 62.5% were aged between 20–29 years, 70% were married, and 55% had attained primary education as their highest level. Overall, only 25% of respondents rated the quality of maternal and neonatal care as excellent, 45% rated it as fair, and 30% rated it as poor. High-quality maternal and neonatal care was significantly associated with regular health facility visits (χ²=12.46, p<0.001). Other factors included the availability of skilled and friendly healthcare workers (78%), presence of essential medicines (65%), availability of proper equipment (52%), effective communication (60%), and timely coordination with referral hospitals (48%). However, challenges such as understaffing, drug stock-outs, and limited infrastructure undermined service delivery.

Conclusion

The quality of maternal and neonatal care in lower health facilities in Kyegegwa District is suboptimal, with the majority of mothers rating services as fair or poor. Regular health facility visits and the presence of skilled, well-equipped, and patient-centered healthcare workers were key determinants of high-quality care.

Recommendation

Government should strengthen maternal and neonatal healthcare by recruiting and retaining skilled health workers, improving drug and equipment supply, and enhancing referral systems. Additionally, healthcare workers should adopt a respectful, patient-centered approach to improve mothers’ experiences and outcomes.

Author Biography

Robert Mushabe, Faculty of Health Sciences, Bishop Stuart University

is a public health professional with a strong academic and professional background in health and communication. He obtained his Master of Public Health from Bishop Stuart University in 2025, building on a Bachelor of Mass Communication from Makerere University, Kampala (2011). His early education includes the Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (2006) and the Uganda Certificate of Education (2003), both from Buremba Secondary School, Kiruhura, as well as the Primary Leaving Examination from Kitamba Primary School (1999).

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