Postpartum Mothers’ Views on Health Services in Reducing Maternal Mortality: Insights from South Konawe, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia

Abstract

Introduction: despite efforts to improve the affordability of maternal health care, the persistently high maternal mortality rate suggests that other critical factors, such as accessibility, acceptability, accommodation, and availability of health workers and facilities, may hinder progress. This study aims to assess mothers' perceptions of healthcare providers and facilities to inform strategies for improving maternal health services.
Method: this cross-sectional study included 341 mothers who gave birth between February and June 2020 in South Konawe Regency, Southeast Sulawesi Province, Indonesia, and were selected through purposive random sampling from a population of 2,778. The study examined the relationships between mothers’ perceptions (dependent variable) and the availability, accessibility, accommodation, affordability, and acceptability (independent variables) of maternal healthcare services. The data were analyzed via univariate, bivariate, and multivariate statistical methods.
Results: A majority of participants (58,1 %) reported positive perceptions of access to health worker services and facilities. Factors influencing these perceptions included availability (OR = 324,996; 95 % CI: 34,992—3018,470), accessibility (OR = 74,258; 95 % CI: 24,602—224,136), accommodation (OR = 25,616; 95 % CI: 10,252—64,002), affordability (OR = 3,768; 95 % CI: 1,742—8,148), and acceptability (OR = 116,044; 95 % CI: 30,090—447,528). All the factors were significantly associated with maternal perceptions.
Conclusion: The availability, accessibility, accommodation, affordability, and acceptability of health worker services and facilities significantly influence mothers' perceptions of these services. These findings underscore the importance of addressing these factors to enhance maternal health outcomes.