CLIENT’S PERCEPTION OF THE QUALITY OF FAMILY PLANNING SERVICES IN PRIMARY AND SECONDARY HEALTH FACILITIES IN AKURE NORTH AND SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS

Abstract

Provision of free family planning services commenced in year 2010 in Akure North and South Local government areas with the administration of Dr. Olusegun Mimiko in Ondo State. However, the level of the quality of family planning services has not been investigated over this period. This study therefore assessed clients’ perception of the quality of family planning service at the primary and secondary health facilities in Akure North and South local government areas. The study adopted cross sectional design. Proportionate sampling technique was used in selecting 390 clients who attended the health facilities for family planning services between 1st of September and 30th of September, 2014. A validated semi-structured question was used for data collection. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive and chi square statistics. There were more females (93.8%) than males (3.8%) respondents visiting the primary and the secondary health facilities, mean age was +36.6 years. Majority (62.0%) of them are from Yoruba ethnic group. Of this number, by choice of method of family planning in the primary and secondary health facilities, 28.6% uses oral contraceptives, 19.4% injectables, 19.9% implants, 19.4% IUCD, 2.7% for barrier method and 6% for other methods. Majority (40.5%) decided to use family planning because they did not want to have children, 20.0% for birth spacing, and 12.6% for health problems, 5.1% don’t want to get pregnant. At the secondary health facilities, more than half (86.7%) of the clients received their choice of method, majority (63.6%) of the clients were provided with information on method, use and the side effects. Majority (87.4%) of the clients were satisfied with the family planning services provided at the secondary health facilities, while few (12.6%) were satisfied with the services at the primary health facilities. Privacy was provided at both facilities but there were variations i.e. (57.6% in primary health facilities and 72.7% at the secondary health facilities). The mean waiting time was 100 minutes with a median of 2 minutes and a range of 10- 240 minutes. Waiting time at the primary health facilities (86.0) was more at the secondary facilities (84.8) where majority of the clients were satisfied with the waiting time. The self employed respondents were more satisfied (p<0.05) with the waiting time than others, respondents that attended the secondary health facilities have higher percentage in acceptability of waiting time (p<0.05). Majority (53.8%) of the clients in the secondary health facilities tested on Sexually Transmitted Infections got their results unlike those at the primary health facilities (41.9%). Majority (85.3%) of the clients in the secondary health facilities agreed that friendly attitude of the clients in the family planning clinic had contributed to the quality of family planning services while more than half (72.0%) agreed that free health services improved the quality of family

planning service delivery. Health education strategies such as; periodic staff training, patient education, provision of adequate infrastructures and improvement in the availability of family planning commodities are needed to improve quality of family planning services delivery at the primary and secondary health facilities.