Maternal satisfaction and knowledge of early childhood development (ECD) related public health services

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: A good start in life gives rise to better outcomes as adults, hence the provision of quality health care helps children to reach maximum development potential. OBJECTIVES: To determine the level of satisfaction and knowledge on ECD-related public health services, screening, and psychosocial stimulation among mothers in the Medical Officer of Health area Damana. METHODS: Mothers of children attending polyclinics in the Damana MOH area were recruited through a consecutive sampling method to conduct a descriptive cross-sectional study. A structured and pre-tested interviewer-administered questionnaire was used. RESULTS: Satisfaction with ECD services was reported by 98.4% (95%CI[96.0-99.0]; n=306) mothers. A good level of knowledge was reported by the majority (78.5%; 95%CI[74.0-83.0]; n=244) of mothers on child development milestones. Only 56.3% (95%CI[51.0-62.0]; n=175) mothers had a good knowledge level on psychosocial stimulations (CI=0.51-0.62). However, a poor level of knowledge on child developmental screening was noted among 87.1% (95%CI[83.0-90.0]; n=271) mothers. In addition, 58.8% (95%CI[53.0-64.0]; n=183) of mothers reported a poor knowledge level of available child developmental services in the area. A good level of knowledge in psychosocial stimulation has shown a significant association with mothers being educated beyond O/L (X2(1, N=311) =5.69,p =0.017). Working mothers had a significant association with a good level of knowledge on psychosocial stimulation (χ2(1,N=311)=4.62,p=0.03). CONCLUSION: Lack of maternal knowledge in available ECD services needed to be addressed to enhance the quality of care at the field level.