Quality of Antenatal Care Services and Client Satisfaction in Public and Private Health Facilities in Abuja, North Central Nigeria

Antenatal care quality is a critical determinant of maternal and neonatal outcomes and drives facility-based delivery decisions, yet systematic comparisons of public and private antenatal care quality in the Federal Capital Territory remain limited. This study assesses the quality of antenatal care services and client satisfaction across public and private health facilities in Abuja. A comparative cross-sectional design is applied, with 300 pregnant women (150 from public and 150 from private facilities) in their third trimester selected through systematic sampling from twelve antenatal clinics across three area councils. A structured service quality questionnaire assessing information provision, physical examination completeness, waiting time, provider attitude, laboratory investigation availability, and counselling quality is administered alongside the Client Satisfaction Scale validated for Nigerian maternal health settings. Direct observation of antenatal consultations supplements self-report data. SPSS is used for analysis, with independent t-tests and chi-square tests comparing public and private sector quality indicators. Available quality of care assessments in Nigeria suggest that private facilities score higher on waiting time and provider courtesy while public facilities offer more comprehensive laboratory investigations when supplies are available. The Donabedian Quality Triad of structure, process, and outcome informs the assessment framework. Findings will guide the FCT Health and Human Services Secretariat on improving public sector antenatal care quality and accountability. Keywords: antenatal care quality, client satisfaction, public and private facilities, maternal health, Abuja.