ABSTRACT
The parishes of Portland and St. Mary have over the past two years been experiencing a relatively high incidence of perinatal mortality compared to other parishes in the Island. A study of the assessment of maternityservices was done to ascertain the quality services being delivered to pregnant women/mothers in Western Portland and Eastern St. Mary. Questionnaires were administered to 102 mothers and pregnant women and interviews of 15 health care providers at four health districts and three hospitals respectively. Both questionnaires and interviews provided objective statements of assessment of the quality services rendered to users of maternity services in these two parishes. Results showed that although services are available to most mothers, the mitigating factor of shortage of staff hampers the delivery of these services. Strengthening of the opperational capacity in terms of manpower and [a] workable referral system appear to be the key solutions to this problem. (AU)