Parental satisfaction with quality of neonatal care services provided at Kamuzu Central hospital, Ethel Mutharika nursery unit, in Lilongwe, Malawi.

Parental satisfaction with neonatal care is a crucial indicator of the quality of neonatal care standards. Satisfied parents comply with treatment and help reduce readmission and neonatal mortality. This study aimed to determine levels and factors associated with parental satisfaction at the Kamuzu Central Hospital, Ethel Mutharika Nursery Unit, Lilongwe, Malawi. An institutionbased cross-sectional study was conducted among 250 systematically selected parents who had neonates admitted for at least 48 hours. The satisfaction was measured using an adopted EMPATHIC-N questionnaire which was translated to a local language (Chichewa) and pre-testing of the instruments was done. The collected data was exported and analyzed using SPSS version 22. Descriptive statistics were done. Chi-Square and Fisher’s Exact test were used to identify factors associated with satisfaction. Finally, Multiple Binary Logistic regression analysis was used to predict the associations and Spearman Rank assessed the correlations. All statistical tests were set at 5% significance level. The research results indicates an overall parental satisfaction of 68%. The highest satisfaction was reported in the care and treatment domain 99.2%, lowest score in information domain 88.8%, parental participation and professional attitude domains both had 98.8% and organization had 98.4%. Tribe, health condition of neonate and admission ward were factors associated with parental satisfaction with neonatal care. Chewa Tribe, income below poverty line and admission in separated ward were important in predicting parental satisfaction. In conclusion, parental satisfaction with neonatal care services was recorded at 68%, reflecting a moderate level of contentment. Based on the findings, there is need to enhance communication, cultural sensitive care, equality and overall parental satisfaction levels in the neonatal unit. Key words: Parents satisfaction, neonatal care, quality care, family centered care.

Grantor dc:publisher

The University of Zambia

Year dc:date.issued

2025

Author dc:creator

• Mkandawire, Mary Chibaya

Language dc:language.iso

en

Repository record dc:identifier.uri

https://dspace.unza.zm/handle/123456789/9253

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.unza.zm:123456789/9253