NEONATAL OUTCOMES, C-SECTION RATES, AND PATIENT SATISFACTION: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF GROUP ANTENATAL CARE (GAC) AND TRADITIONAL ANTENATAL CARE (TAC)

Background: Antenatal care is essential for ensuring the health of expectant mothers and their newborns. Traditional Antenatal Care (TAC) has been the standard model, but Group Antenatal Care (GAC) has emerged as a promising alternative that may offer improved outcomes and patient satisfaction by fostering better engagement and support among participants. Objective: To assess and compare maternal and neonatal outcomes, caesarean section rates, and patient satisfaction between GAC and TAC, evaluating the effectiveness of GAC in enhancing healthcare delivery for expectant mothers and their newborns. Methods: This comparative cross-sectional study involved 74 expectant mothers (37 in each group) from two antenatal care models: GAC and TAC. Participants were enrolled using a non-probability sampling method. Data collection included structured questionnaires and hospital records, focusing on maternal demographics, neonatal outcomes, delivery methods, and patient satisfaction. All data were analysed using the Jaffery Amazing Statistical Package (JASP). Results: GAC participants showed significantly higher birth weights (mean difference = 310 g, p = 0.043) and lower preterm birth rates (8% vs. 24%, p < 0.001) compared to TAC participants. Additionally, caesarean section rates were lower in GAC (10.8%) than in TAC (29.7%). Patient satisfaction was notably higher in GAC, especially concerning doctor qualifications and hospital trust, while TAC scored better in hospital cleanliness and staff promptness. Conclusion: GAC significantly improves neonatal outcomes and patient satisfaction compared to TAC. These findings support further research and potential broader implementation of GAC as a superior model of antenatal care.