Daniel Melese Desalegn, Serebe Abay, Abnet Abebe, Adino Desile Lulie, Daniel Dejene, Tilahun Bekele Mersha,Adamu Addissie and BineyamTaye
Background: Focused Antenatal Care (FANC) laboratory service is critical to identify life threatening conditions of maternal and child health. This study aimed to assess the quality of focused antenatal care laboratory services provided at public health facilities in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Methods: Institutional based, cross-sectional study was conducted from April to May 2015. A total of 422 clients were taken for exit-interview about their satisfaction towards FANC laboratory services. This study supported by in-depth interview of laboratory services providers. Structured checklists were used to assess infrastructures of the laboratories. Data was computerized using Epi-info software and analysed using SPSS version 20 software. Logistic regression model was used to examine the effect of selected variables on clients’ satisfaction with laboratory services. P-Value less than 0.05 were taken as statistically significant. The qualitative data was thematically analyzed.
Result: Of 422 pregnant mothers involved in this study, 56.9% (240/422) satisfied with FANC laboratory services, 44.8% (189/422) claimed that all ordered laboratory tests not available and 2.6% (11/422) missed laboratory investigation in previous due to unavailability of test request order in their antenatal care follow up centre. Clients who got FANC laboratory services from hospitals were two times more satisfied than those who got FANC laboratory services from health centres [AOR=2.64; CI (1.45-4.81)]. Of 422 mothers, 28.9% (122/422) were sent to private laboratories for FANC laboratory investigation, from these 7.1% (30/422) were missed from their appointment for FANC follow up due to shortage of money to pay for FANC laboratory investigation services in private facilities. Of 13 visited laboratories, 9 (69.2%), 6 (46.2%) and 13 (100.0%) performed Internal Quality Control (IQC) for HIV, Hemoglobin (CBC), and VDRL tests, respectively. The remaining all basic Data was collected via face to face interview using preFANC tests were run without IQC. ces. P-Value less than 0.05 were taken as statistically significant. The qualitative data was thematically analyzed.