Users' perceptions of the quality of maternal and child health (MCH) services in Grenada

What do users think about the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Services provided at government run community health facilities in Grenada? This study was done to analyse the quality of MCH services delivered, according to the perception of the users. Data were collected using a pre-tested structured questionnaire, focus group discussions and natural group interviews. 237 users of MCH services were interviewed at randomly selected community health facilities. Ninety-six percent of users were of the opinion that their health workers showed interest and understanding and were friendly and courteous. Ninety-six percent of users were comfortable with the health workers who attended to them. Ninety-two percent of users were questioned by health workers. However, 26 percent received no explanations and instructions. Forty-nine percent of users perceived consultations with health workers to be short. The hours of service delivery were inconvenient for employed persons using the service. Statistically significant differences existed in user satisfaction by location of facility and type of facility at which care was received. Areas identified for improvement include health workers' inter-personal relations and infrastructure, including the availability of sanitary facilities and supplies for users. 65 percent of users of MCH services were not gainfully employed (37 percent unemployed, 28 percent housewives). Occupational status and educational attainment levels of respondents reflected a disproportionaly higher number from lower socioeconomic groups among users of the MCH services. Rescheduling of hours for service delivery is recommended to encourage more employed persons to use the services.(AU)

Users perceptions of the quality of MCH services in Grenada

This study was done to analyse the quality of Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Services delivered according to the perception of users. Data was collected using a pre-tested structured questionnaire, focus group discussions and natural group interviews. 237 users of MCH services were interviewed at randomly selected community health facilities. Ninety-six percent of users were of the opinion that their health workers showed interest and understanding and were friendly and courteous. Ninety-six percent of users were comfortable with the health workers who attended to them. Ninety-two percent of users were questioned by health workers. However, 26 percent received no explanations and instructions. Forty-nine percent of users perceived consultations with health workers to be short. The hours of service delivery were inconvenient for employed persons using the service. Statistically significant differences existed in user satisfaction by location of facility and type of facility at which care was received. Areas identified for improvement include health workers' interpersonal relations and infrastructure including the availability of sanitary facilities and supplies for users. 65 percent of users of MCH services were not gainfully employed (37 percent - unemployed, 28 percent - housewives). Occupational status and educational attainment levels of respondents reflected a disproportionately higher number from lower socioeconomic groups among users of the MCH services. Rescheduling of hours for service delivery is recommended to encouraged more employed persons to use the services. (AU)

Users perceptions of the quality of MCH services in Grenada

This study was done to analyse the quality of Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Services delivered according to the perception of users. Data was collected using a pre-tested structured questionnaire, focus group discussions and natural group interviews. 237 users of MCH services were interviewed at randomly selected community health facilities. Ninety-six percent of users were of the opinion that their health workers showed interest and understanding and were friendly and courteous. Ninety-six percent of users were comfortable with the health workers who attended to them. Ninety-two percent of users were questioned by health workers. However, 26 percent received no explanations and instructions. Forty-nine percent of users perceived consultations with health workers to be short. The hours of service delivery were inconvenient for employed persons using the service. Statistically significant differences existed in user satisfaction by location of facility and type of facility at which care was received. Areas identified for improvement include health workers' interpersonal relations and infrastructure including the availability of sanitary facilities and supplies for users. 65 percent of users of MCH services were not gainfully employed (37 percent - unemployed, 28 percent - housewives). Occupational status and educational attainment levels of respondents reflected a disproportionately higher number from lower socioeconomic groups among users of the MCH services. Rescheduling of hours for service delivery is recommended to encouraged more employed persons to use the services.

Report on the Ministry of Health

Presents details on the existing health services and facilities available in Grenada. The public health system is described as being developed around the concept of primary health care (PHC) and consist of the following infrastructure: a general hospital, two district hospitals, a mental hospital and a PHC services network consisting of six health care centres and thirty medical stations. Details of other aspects of the system such as environmental health, pharmaceutical services, psychiatry and medical personnel are also given. Outlines the plans and priorities for the development of the system during the period 1992-1994

Development of local health systems in Grenada

Provides details of the health services available at the community level. The system consists of six health centers and thirty medical station