Objective: To describe responsiveness of the antenatal services as perceived by pregnant women, and to examine whether and how ethnicity (Buddhist/Muslim) of the pregnant woman, distance between the pregnant woman's house and a hospital, and service-time are important determinants of perceptions about responsiveness.
Material and Methods: The sample consisted of 264 primigravid women who utilized antenatal care at 5 randomly selected community hospitals in Pattani province during May to August 2005. Data regarding received pregnancy care provision and satisfaction were obtained using an interviewer-administered questionnaire guided by the concept of WHO's responsiveness of the healthcare system.
Results: The majority of pregnant women were Muslim (83%). The average age of the pregnant women was 23 ± 3.84 years. More than half of the pregnant women had a gestational age of 4-7 months (55%). The percent of women in the ≤ 3 months, 4-7 months, and >7 months gestational age groups having their first visit at the antenatal clinic was 73%, 44%, and 31% respectively. The pregnant women perceived their health status as healthy (60%) and very healthy (25%). The pregnant women perceived a high level of overall responsiveness. When considering all eight dimensions (prompt attention, dignity, communication, autonomy, social support, confidentiality, basic amenities, and choice in maternity care), each dimension was perceived as being at a high level except the dimension of choice in maternity care, which was perceived as being at a moderate level. The three highest scores among the eight dimensions were for prompt attention, dignity, and communication. Half of the pregnant women were satisfied with the received antenatal services at a moderate level (50%). Religion was not a strong predictor for the pregnant women's perception of responsiveness. However, the distance between the pregnant woman's house and a hospital and perception of service-time were strong predictors of the perceived responsiveness.
Conclusion: Primigravid pregnant women perceived healthcare responsiveness at a high level. There was no statistically significant difference between Muslim and Buddhist pregnant women in perception of responsiveness. Distance between the pregnant woman's house and a hospital and perception of service-time were strong predictors of the perceived responsiveness.