Assessment of quality of maternal and newborn care and its determinants: a national study of primary health care facilities in Nigeria
Abstract Background Reducing the global burden of maternal morbidity and mortality necessitates focusing on the quality of maternal and newborn care (MNC). This study aimed to assess the quality of MNCs among 25,840 public primary healthcare centers (PHCs) across Nigeria, analyze subnational variati...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2025-07-01
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| Series: | BMC Health Services Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-025-12957-6 |
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| Summary: | Abstract Background Reducing the global burden of maternal morbidity and mortality necessitates focusing on the quality of maternal and newborn care (MNC). This study aimed to assess the quality of MNCs among 25,840 public primary healthcare centers (PHCs) across Nigeria, analyze subnational variations, and determine the influence of contextual variables on the quality of care (QoC) by PHCs. Methods Data from a nationwide PHC assessment conducted in 2022 were utilized to create the composite index of care for PHC facilities in Nigeria. Summary statistics were then generated for the composite of care scores across PHC facilities. Subnational differences in QoC among the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory and the influence of four contextual variables (Basic Health Care Provision Fund-status of PHC, activity of ward development committees, implementation of quality improvement plan, and activity of facility management committees) on QOC were determined using a one-way analysis of variance and multiple linear regression respectively. Results PHCs in Nigeria had QoC scores ranging from 0.06-4.0 and a mean QoC score of 2.07. There were significant variations in the mean PHC facility QoC across states, with Katsina and Ondo states having the lowest (1.35) and highest (2.98) QoC, respectively. The regression model showed that the contextual variables analyzed accounted for 31.5% of the variation in QoC, with varying statistically significant relationships with the QoC. Conclusion The quality of maternal and newborn healthcare in Nigeria’s PHC facilities is unsatisfactory, with noticeable subnational variation in the QoC. To achieve significant improvements in the quality of care provided by PHC facilities in the country, targeted interventions, such as empanelment of more PHCs as BHCPF facilities, strengthening implementation of quality improvement plans and strengthening activities of ward development committees, and facility management committees, are required to improve the quality of maternal and newborn care, and reduce maternal and infant mortality rates. |
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| ISSN: | 1472-6963 |