Maternal Health Services Delivery of Public Lying-In Clinics in Zambales

Abstract

Maternal health service delivery at the primary-care level is essential to safe pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. This study assessed the perceived extent of maternal health service delivery in selected public lying-in clinics in Zambales and identified the operational issues encountered by healthcare workers as a basis for an intervention program. A descriptive quantitative survey design was used. Twenty-eight (28) healthcare workers from public lying-in clinics in Cabangan, San Felipe, and San Antonio, Zambales participated through total enumeration. Data were collected using a researcher-developed questionnaire that underwent expert content validation and pilot reliability testing. Three experts provided an overall validation mean of 4.80/5.00. The final data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, weighted mean, composite mean, and grand mean. Maternal health service delivery obtained an overall grand mean of 4.17, interpreted as High Extent. Prenatal Care had the highest composite mean (4.29, Very High Extent), followed by Postnatal Care (4.27, Very High Extent), Monitoring and Record-Keeping (4.20, High Extent), Intrapartum Care (4.06, High Extent), and Compliance with Department of Health (DOH) Standards and Protocols (4.01, High Extent). Overall issues encountered obtained a grand mean of 3.33 (Sometimes Encountered). Workforce Constraints was the most prominent issue category (3.74, Often Encountered), particularly shortage of healthcare workers (3.89), heavy workload (3.86), and limited training opportunities (3.82). A Maternal Health Intervention Program was developed focusing on workforce development, resource enhancement, health information systems, standards compliance, referral coordination, employee wellness, and continuous quality improvement. The findings indicate generally favorable service delivery while highlighting workforce and operational concerns that require sustained local action.