Abstract
BACKGROUND: The experience of post-abortion care (PAC) is crucial to the quality of PAC services. However, there is limited literature on women's experience with PAC, particularly the aspects of person-centered maternity care (PCMC) and satisfaction with PAC services. OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between PCMC and satisfaction with PAC services. DESIGN: A facility-based analytical cross-sectional study. METHODS: A survey was conducted among 370 women aged 15-49 who sought PAC services at public health facilities in Lira city, Northern Uganda. Data were collected using a validated questionnaire. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, the Spearman correlation test, and multiple linear regression. RESULTS: The mean age of study participants was 26.1 (±6.3) years. The overall PCMC median score was 21.5 (interquartile range (IQR): 11) out of 36. The median scores for the sub-scales were as follows: 6 (IQR: 6-6) for dignity and respect out of 9; 9 (IQR: 5-13) for communication and autonomy out of 18; and 8 (IQR: 6-9) for supportive care out of 9. Satisfaction with PAC services' score ranged from 6 to 42, and the median satisfaction score was 30 (IQR range: 28-32). Bivariate analysis revealed a weak but significant correlation between the overall PCMC scale and satisfaction with PAC services (r = 0.21, p < 0.001). Sub-scales of dignity and respect and communication and autonomy also had a weak but significant correlation with satisfaction with PAC services (r = 0.16, p = 0.002, and r = 0.21, p < 0.001 respectively). In a linear regression model, communication and autonomy score was significantly associated with higher satisfaction with PAC score (β = 0.10; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.01, 0.19; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: PCMC, particularly the aspects of communication between clients and providers and the promotion of clients' autonomy, is associated with higher satisfaction with PAC services. Efforts to increase clients' satisfaction with PAC should focus on strengthening communication between clients and providers and promoting clients' autonomy during care.