Adolescents' satisfaction with abortion services received and factors associated with satisfaction at reproductive health centres

Abstract

Aim: This study assessed adolescents' satisfaction with services received during their most recent abortion and the factors associated with satisfaction at reproductive health centres in the Greater Accra region of Ghana. Design: A facility-based cross-sectional survey was used for this study. Methods: Overall, 254 adolescent girls aged between 15 and 19 years, who had an abortion within 1 week of the study period were recruited for the study. All the 254 respondents were recruited consecutively as they visited health facilities for abortion services from March 2019 to February 2020. Written informed consent was signed by respondents, and data were collected using the Patient Satisfaction with Nursing Care Quality Questionnaire, and the data were analysed using Stata version 15.0. Univariate, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted. Results: A majority of adolescents reported being satisfied with the abortion services they received. Ample waiting space and the system of ‘first-come-first-served’ were the highest rated elements of service satisfaction. Adolescents were least satisfied with the inadequacy of instructions and lack of information on medications received and their therapeutic or side effects. Ethnicity, having a stable intimate partner and perceived adequacy of staff were the factors associated with satisfaction with abor tion services. Conclusion: Adolescents are unique group of people with peculiar health needs. If they are treated with respect and dignity, they are likely to be satisfied with services received from the reproductive health centres offering comprehensive abortion care. Impact: The study addresses adolescent satisfaction with abortion care received; if health providers treat adolescent seeking abortion care with respect, friendly and non-judgemental attitude, it will enable adolescents to seek abortion care from quali fied professionals instead of unskilled service providers to reduce maternal mortality. Patient's contribution: Patients from 11 reproductive centres responded to the ques tionnaire used for the data collection.