World Journal of Medical Sciences 8 (4): 359-364, 2013 ISSN 1817-3055 © IDOSI Publications, 2013 DOI: 10.5829/idosi.wjms.2013.8.4.1715 Corresponding Author: O.O. Sholeye, Department of Community Medicine and Primary Care, Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, Nigeria 359 Client Perception of Antenatal Care Services at Primary Health Centers in an Urban Area of Lagos, Nigeria O.O. Sholeye, O.A. Abosede and O.A. Jeminusi 1 2 3 Department of Community Medicine and Primary Care, 1 Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, Nigeria Institute of Child Health and Primary Care, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, 2 Idi-Araba, Lagos /College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Nigeria Sagamu Community Centre / Obafemi Awolowo College of Health Sciences, 3 Olabisi Onabanjo University, Sagamu, Nigeria Abstract: Maternal morbidity and mortality has remained unacceptably high in sub-Saharan Africa, including Nigeria, despite concerted efforts at its reduction, by various stakeholders and development partners. A major determinant of pregnancy outcome is the quality of care received during pregnancy and the utilization of available services by pregnant women. This study assessed the perception of clients accessing antenatal care services at the Primary Health Care Centres (PHCs) in Mushin Area of Lagos State. About 300 pregnant women were selected through systematic random sampling from three PHCs offering full maternal health services in Mushin. Data was collected with the aid of interviewer-administered, semi-structured questionnaires. Data analysis was done using SPSS 14.00. The mean age of respondents was 30.68 ± 6.74 years. Most respondents (42.5%) were aged between 20 and 29 years. About 92.0% of respondents perceived the environmental conditions of service delivery as good; 52.2% felt the record retrieval system was good, while 1.7% who felt it was poor. The health education sessions were perceived as being good by 84.3%, while only 1.0% felt it was poor. The obstetric examinations were perceived as being good by 66.6% of respondents, while 3.0% felt the service was poor. Improved funding of health services at the local government / district level as well as continuous health education, will help to optimize the quality and utilization of antenatal care services at the PHCs in developing countries, like Nigeria. Key words: Antenatal Care Client Perception Primary Health Care INTRODUCTION Rates around the world by the year 2015 [3]. Maternal All over the world, childbearing is an important and important index of health status of a population. It also sensitive issue, viewed from a variety of perspectives depicts the status of women and children. Maternal including culture, religion, beliefs, law and social class Mortality Rates remained high in sub-Saharan Africa at differentials [1]. Over t he years, maternal health the close of the twentieth century, with many indices in many developing countries, particularly those governments unable to achieve the goals of the Safe in sub-Saharan Africa, including Nigeria, have remained Motherhood Initiative. This has been of great and poor [2]. The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) considerable concern to governments and development recognize the crucial role health plays in national partners, who have invested greatly to reduce the development and improvement of the quality of life of magnitude of this problem [4]. Data from developing population groups. Specifically the fifth goal addresses countries show that lack of antenatal care is an the need for a significant reduction in Maternal Mortality important risk factor for poor pregnancy outcomes [5-7]. Mortality Ratio (MMR) has been accepted as an