Postnatal care service utilization and associated factors among women who gave birth in Debretabour town, North West Ethiopia: a community- based cross-sectional study

Utilisation of maternal healthcare services and influencing factors in public health facilities in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Background

Ethiopian maternal mortality remains high, despite the implementation of extensive health programmes. This indicates that the full potential of maternal health services is not being effectively utilised.

Aim

This study aimed to evaluate the utilisation and factors influencing maternal healthcare services in public health facilities in Addis Ababa.

Setting

This study was conducted in five public hospitals and 10 public health centres of Addis Ababa city administration from 31st August 2023 to 13th October 2023.

Methods

The study's design utilised a cross-sectional quantitative technique, which involved interviewing 354 women from each group who received visits throughout their pregnancy, delivery and postpartum period. The data were analysed using SPSS version 26.

Results

This study analysed maternal health service utilisation indicators, revealing a 70.8% overall utilisation of services, with antenatal care (ANC) at 85.5%, delivery at 71.58% and family planning services (PNC) at 55.4%. The study found that the length of time spent travelling to public health facilities significantly impacts the use of maternal health services. Pregnant women who travelled less than 30 min used services 2.29 times more than those over 2 h. The average client wait time also influenced service usage. Pregnant women with four or more prenatal care visits were more likely to use services.

Conclusion

The study conducted in Addis Ababa's capital city revealed that the utilisation of maternity health care services is not optimal, despite the concentrated resources.

Contribution

The findings of the study could be beneficial for the Addis Ababa Health Bureau, Ministry of Health, legislators, and other stakeholders. It can help in the development of affordable intervention programmes, filling knowledge gaps and updating scientific understanding.

Inequalities in the demand and unmet need for contraception among women in four regions of Ethiopia

BACKGROUND

Unmet need for family planning is a major cause of unwanted pregnancies, which may contribute to the death of mothers and children. The aim of this study is to examine inequalities in the demand and unmet need for contraception among women in four regions (i.e., Afar, Benishangul-Gumzu, Gambela and Somali regions) of Ethiopia.

METHODS

The study utilized data from the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic Health Survey (EDHS), collected from 3,343 women of reproductive age 15-49 years situated in these study regions. Multilevel binary and multivariable logistic regression analysis, concentration index, and multivariate decomposition analysis were employed.

RESULTS

The study revealed that women's employment status, education level, household wealth index, total number of children ever born, and husband's working status had a statistically significant association with the demand for contraception. Furthermore, women's educational level, household size, wealth index and husband's working status had statistically significant association with unmet need for contraception. The results of the concentration index indicated that illiteracy among respondents (56%), being in the richest economic status/ wealth index (41%) and non-working status of respondents (21%) contributed substantially to the inequality in the demand for contraception use. Illiteracy of the husband (197%) and the household size less than or equal to five (184%) contributed positively, but illiteracy of respondent (-249%) and unemployment status of respondents (-119%) contributed negatively to the existing inequality in unmet need for contraception.

CONCLUSION

The findings of this study highlight the presence of unacceptably high inequality in the demand and unmet need for contraception among women in the four study regions. Policymakers should give due attention to reducing existing socio-economic inequality to address the high unmet need for family planning and increase demand for contraception in these regions. The study strongly recommends implementing multidimensional and multisectoral approaches, which will significantly reduce inequalities in the outcome variables.

Factors affecting postnatal care service utilization in Pyuthan district: A mixed method study

The first hours, days, and weeks following childbirth are critical for the well-being of both the mother and newborn. Despite this significance, the postnatal period often receives inadequate attention in terms of quality care provision. In Nepal, the utilization of postnatal care (PNC) services remains a challenging issue. Employing a facility-based concurrent triangulation mixed-method approach, this study aimed to identify factors associated with PNC service utilization, as well as its facilitators and barriers. A quantitative survey involved 243 mothers who had given birth in the six months preceding the survey, selected using a multistage sampling technique from six health facilities of two randomly selected local levels of the Pyuthan district. Weighted multivariate logistic regression was employed to identify predictors of PNC service utilization. Additionally, qualitative analysis using Braun and Clarke's six-step thematic analysis elucidated facilitators and barriers. The study revealed a weighted prevalence of PNC service utilization as per protocol at 38.43% (95% CI: 32.48-44.74). Notably, Socioeconomic status (AOR-3.84, 95% CI: 2.40-6.15), place of delivery (AOR-1.86, 95% CI: 1.16-3.00), possessing knowledge of postnatal care (AOR = 6.75, 95% CI: 3.39-13.45) and access to a motorable road (AOR = 6.30, 95% CI: 3.94-10.08) were identified as predictors of PNC service utilization. Triangulation revealed knowledge on PNC, transportation facilities, PNC home visits, and postpartum weaknesses to visit health facility as areas of convergence. Conversely, divergent areas included the proximity of health facilities and the effect of COVID-19. The study identified a low prevalence of PNC service utilization in the district. To enhance utilization, targeted interventions to increase awareness about postnatal care, appropriate revision of existing policies, addressing wider determinants of service utilization, and ensuring effective implementation of PNC home-visit programs are of utmost importance.

Wealth disparities in maternal health service utilization among women of reproductive age in Ethiopia: findings from the mini-EDHS 2019

BACKGROUND

Ethiopia has made strides in reducing maternal mortality, but significant discrepancies in maternal health service utilization exist across socioeconomic levels. According to studies, women from higher-income households are far more likely to use essential services such as antenatal care, delivery care, and postnatal care than poorer women. This wealth disparity is a primary contributor to persistently high maternal mortality, particularly among poor populations. The study's goal was to assess wealth disparities in maternal health service uptake and identify contributing factors.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

We used the Ethiopian Mini Demographic Health Survey (EMDHS), conducted in 2019 on women aged 15-49 living in selected census areas, with a weighted sample size of 3,909. The Erreygers Concentration Index (ECI) was used to measure wealth inequalities in maternal health care, and the ECI decomposition was used to identify factors contributing to inequality in maternal health services.

RESULTS

Maternal health service utilization was pro-rich among women in Ethiopia. The prevalence of antenatal care service (ANC), delivery, and postnatal care (PNC) service utilization showed a pro-rich distribution among Ethiopian women, with ECI = 0.115 (95% CI: 0.091-0.137), ECI = 0.223 (95% CI: 0.191-0.276), and ECI = 0.121 (95% CI: 0.041-0.200), respectively. The ECI indices were decomposed to examine the contributing factors to disparities in maternal service utilization in Ethiopia. Mother's current age, household family size, region, birth order, and parity were contributors to maternal health service utilization.

CONCLUSION

The ANC service, delivery service and PNC service utilization showed a pro-rich distribution among Ethiopian women. Mother's current age, household family size, region, birth order, and parity are important contributors of maternal health service inequality. To improve access and usage among low-income women, policymakers can develop programs including increasing the number of free or subsidized services and providing transportation.

Utilisation of postnatal care services among maternal in Maeen District - Sana'a City, Yemen

BACKGROUND

One of the most effective ways to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality is to improve mother and newborn health via the provision of appropriate postnatal care services by qualified healthcare providers. However, there is limited information on the use of postnatal care services in Yemen. This study aimed to determine the utilisation of postnatal care services among mothers in Yemen.

METHODOLOGY

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the Maeen District of Sana'a City, Yemen from December 2022 to January 2023. Convenience sampling was employed to recruit 321 participants. Semi-structured questionnaires were applied as the study tool in the face-to-face survey.

RESULT

Less than half (45.2%) of the study participants utilised postnatal care services in this study. The mode of delivery, place of delivery, and receiving information about postnatal care during antenatal visits were significantly associated with postnatal care service utilisation.

CONCLUSION

Less than half of the study participants were informed about postnatal care services, contributing to their low utilisation. Thus, it is vital to strengthen the provision of information, education, and communication with regard to postnatal care services among pregnant mothers visiting antenatal clinics.

Prevalence and determinants of adequate postnatal care in Ethiopia: evidence from 2019 Ethiopia mini demographic and health survey

BACKGROUND

The postpartum period is critical for both the mother's and newborn child's health and survival. Rising morbidity and mortality are usually the consequence of absence of adequate, suitable, or timely care during that time period. There is lack of information on the adequacy of postnatal care in Ethiopia and this study was aimed to investigate adequacy of postnatal care and its determinants in the study area.

METHODS

In this study, we used a cross-sectional dataset from the 2019 Ethiopia Mini Demographic and Health Survey. A multistage stratified clustered design applied and survey weights were used to take into account the complicated sample design. A multilevel mixed effects logistic regression was fitted on 3772 women who were nested within 305 clusters. The fixed effect models were fitted and expressed as adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals, while intra-class correlation coefficients, median odds ratio, and proportional change in variance explained measures of variation. As model fitness criteria, the deviance information criterion and the Akaike information criterion were used.

RESULTS

This study found that only 563(16.14%, 95% CI: 16.05-16.24) women had adequate post natal care. Age of between 25-35 years old (AOR = 1.55, 95%CI = 1.04-2.31), secondary level of education (AOR = 2.23, 95%CI = 1.43-3.45), Having parity of between two and four had (AOR = 0.62, 95%CI = 0.42 0.93), having ANC follow up four and above (AOR = 1.74, 95%CI = 1.31-2.33), being residents of Oromia region (AOR = 0.10, 95CI = 0.02- 0.43) were strong predictors of adequate postnatal care.

CONCLUSION

The study found that prevalence of adequate PNC in Ethiopia was significantly low. To increase postnatal care adequacy, it was recommended to reinforce existing policies and strategies such as increasing number of antenatal care follow up, and scheduling mothers based on the national postnatal care follow-up protocol.

Sociodemographic factors associated with immediate puerperal control: A cross-sectional study based on the Peruvian demographic and health survey, 2019

Introduction

Peru is the fifth country in Latin America with the highest maternal mortality. In Peru, immediate puerperal control (IPC) was established in 2013 as a measure to improve postnatal control, with a view in reducing maternal mortality. This study aimed to evaluate the frequency and sociodemographic factors associated with compliance with IPC in Peru, 2019.

Methods

We conducted an analytical cross-sectional study based on the Demographic and Family Health Survey (ENDES, for its acronym in Spanish) of Peru, 2019. The dependent variable was compliance with IPC (control in the first 2 h) in women aged 15-49 years who had delivered within the last five years preceding the survey. To evaluate the associated factors, Poisson family generalized linear models were used to calculate crude (cPR) and adjusted (aPR) prevalence ratios, with their respective 95% confidence intervals (95%CI).

Results

Data from 11,854 women were analyzed. The frequency of IPC was 59.6% (95%CI: 58.3-60.9). We found a lower proportion of IPC in urban areas (58.8%) and in the highlands (57%) and jungle (57.2%) of Peru. Residing in rural areas (aPR:1.13; 95%CI:1.08-1.19), having undergone appropriate antenatal care (ANC) (aPR:1.05; 95%CI:1.01-1.10) and having delivered a low-birth-weight newborn (aPR:1.20; 95%CI:1.12-1.29) were associated with a higher frequency of IPC, while living in the highlands (aPR:0.86; 95%CI:0.80-0.92) or jungle (aPR:0.86; 95%CI:0.80-0.92) was associated with a lower frequency of IPC.

Conclusions

Approximately four out of ten women did not have IPC. There was a lower proportion of IPC in urban areas and in the highland and jungle regions.

Post-natal care: a vital chance to save mothers and infants! Exploring barriers and factors associated with it: a mixed study

Introduction

The most effective maternal health intervention for enhancing mother and baby survival is postnatal care, yet it is also the most neglected service in Ethiopia. Less is known about postnatal care despite earlier studies concentrating on pregnancy and delivery service utilization. Postnatal care is the subject of few national and local area studies. Therefore this research aims to evaluate postnatal care utilization and barriers and associated characteristics among women in Ilubabor Zone and Buno Bedele Zone.

Methods

A mixed-methods study involving women who visited immunization clinics was conducted in Southwest Ethiopia. For the quantitative part, a cross-sectional survey was conducted between June 12 and July 12, 2022. The data collected through interviews was analyzed using SPSS version 26. An adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) and p-value was constructed to evaluate the associations between postnatal care service utilization and explanatory variables. The usage of postnatal care services was determined to be significantly correlated with explanatory variables in multivariable logistic regression with a p-value less than 0.05. This qualitative study used two focused group discussions and two in-depth interviews to gather data from purposely selected mothers, and thematic analysis was used to analyze the data.

Results and Discussion

A total of 422 participants with a 100% response rate were included in the analysis. 234 (55.5%) of these underwent postnatal checks. In the quantitative section, postnatal care counseling and appointment setting, counseling on danger signs, and prior postnatal care utilization all demonstrated a statistically significant association with the use of postnatal care services (AOR = 3.6, 95% CI (1.47-7.23)), [AOR = 2, 95% CI (1.05-3.64)], and [AOR = 3, 95% CI (1.36-58), respectively). At the qualitative level, it was determined that the themes of knowledge and access were obstacles to the use of postpartum care services. Generally this study revealed that the Ilubabor Zone and Buno Bedele Zone have a poor total PNC service utilization rate. Furthermore, ignorance, conventional wisdom, religious activity, distance from facilities, environmental exposure, and waiting time were identified as barriers to postnatal care service utilization. To optimize this service, all parties involved should address these factors.

Multiple high-risk fertility behaviours and children under five mortality survivors among ever-married women of reproductive age in Nigeria

BACKGROUND

Multiple high-risk fertility behaviours (MHRFBs), including maternal age < 18 or > 34 years old, a birth order 4+, and birth spacing < 24 months, can directly or indirectly affect survival outcomes among under-five children. There is a dearth of available information and data about these two phenomena in Nigeria. Thus, this study evaluates the prevalence of MHRFBs and examines the association between MHRFBs and under-five mortality survival (U5M) outcomes among ever-married women of reproductive age in Nigeria.

METHODS

This study used the recent secondary datasets from the Nigerian Demographic Health Surveys conducted in 2018, with a total sample size of 10,304 women of reproductive age. The outcome variable was MHRFBs. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was employed to examine the association between U5M and MHRFBs. Odds ratios with a p-value of less than 0.05 were considered significant.

RESULTS

It was found that among women who had MHRFBs, U5M was prevalent, particularly in young maternal age (< 18 years) and within short birth intervals (< 24 months). The adjusted odds ratio of the association between MHRFBs and U5M shows the experience of MHRFBs, in addition to other factors such as household wealth index, type of marriage, and sex of child, to be significant predictors for U5M. The odds were higher for U5M to occur among women who had experienced MHRFBs compared to those who have not had an experience of MHRFBs [aOR = 1.48; 95%CI: 1.02-2.17 ]. Similarly, the odds of U5M occurrence among women in polygamous marriages are higher compared to those in monogamous unions [aOR = 1.35; 95% CI: 1.10-1.65]. While under-five children born in the richest households (wealth quintiles) are less likely to die compared to those born in the poorest households [aOR = 0.64; 95% CI: 0.41-1.01].

CONCLUSION

This study concludes that women in Nigeria who engaged in MHRFBs, particularly maternal ages < 18 years and short birth intervals (< 24 months), were more likely to experience U5M. Furthermore, children born to women who received post-natal care after delivery were more likely to survive U5M, as were children born to women with educated partners. We recommend strengthening educational opportunities and creating adaptive reproductive health education programs for ever-married women of reproductive age in Nigeria.

Comparison of inequality in utilization of postnatal care services between Bangladesh and Pakistan: Evidence from the Demographic and Health Survey 2017-2018

BACKGROUND

Inequality in postnatal care (PNC) has remained a challenge in many low- and middle-income countries, like Bangladesh and Pakistan. The study examines within-country and between-country inequality in utilizing PNC services for Bangladesh and Pakistan.

METHODS

The study used the latest Demographic and Health Survey (DHS, 2017-2018) datasets of Bangladesh and Pakistan for women aged 15-49 years who had given at least one live birth in the three years preceding the survey. As outcome variables, three PNC service indicators were considered: PNC check of women, PNC check of newborns, and adequate PNC content of newborns. Concentration curves and equiplots were constructed to visually demonstrate inequality in PNC services. For ordered equity strata with more than two categories, the relative concentration index (RCI), absolute concentration index (ACI), and slope index of inequality (SII) were calculated to measure inequalities in the utilization of PNC services. For two categories equity strata, rate ratio (RR) and rate difference (RD) were calculated.

RESULTS

In Bangladesh, the level of inequality was high and almost the same for the PNC check of women and newborns based on women's education (PNC women- RCI: 0.404, ACI: 0.403, SII: 0.624; and PNC newborn- RCI: 0.402, ACI: 0.402, SII: 0.622), wealth (PNC women- RCI: 0.448, ACI: 0.448, SII: 0.643; and PNC newborn- 0.441, ACI: 0.441, SII: 0.633), and number of ANC visits (PNC women- RCI: 0.329, ACI: 0.329, SII: 0.595; and PNC newborn- RCI: 0.329, ACI: 0.329, SII: 0.594). In Pakistan, the level of inequality was higher for the PNC check of women among all PNC services based on women's education (ACI: 0.388 and SII: 0.676) and wealth (ACI: 0.397 and SII: 0.598). For Bangladesh and Pakistan, RR values (2.114 and 3.873, respectively) indicated greater media exposure-related inequality in adequate PNC content of newborns. Inequality in facility delivery was highest for PNC checks of women and newborns in Bangladesh (PNC women- RD: 0.905, PNC newborn- RD: 0.900) and Pakistan (PNC women- RD: 0.726, PNC newborn-RD: 0.743).

CONCLUSION

Inequality was higher in Bangladesh than in Pakistan for PNC checks of women and newborns based on wealth, media exposure, and mode of delivery. For adequate PNC content of newborns, inequality was greater in Pakistan than in Bangladesh. Country-specific customized policies would better minimize the gap between the privileged and underprivileged groups and reduce inequality.

Postnatal care service utilisation for babies within the first two months after childbirth: an analysis of rural-urban differences in eleven Sub-Saharan African countries

BACKGROUND

The World Health Organisation recommends that all mothers seek postnatal care (PNC) within the first two months after childbirth. This study examined PNC utilisation for babies within the first two months after childbirth.

METHODS

We used data from the most recent Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) (2018-2020) of eleven countries in SSA. Descriptive and a multivariate analysis were carried out, and presented in adjusted odds ratios. The explanatory variables included: age, place of residence, level of formal education, wealth quintile, antenatal care visits, marital status, frequency of watching TV, listening to radio and reading newspaper, getting permission to go medical help for self, getting money needed for treatment, and distance to facility.

RESULTS

PNC utilisation was 37.5% and 33% in urban and rural residences, respectively. Higher level of education (Urban: AOR = 1.39, CI = 1.25, 1.56; Rural: AOR = 1.31, CI = 1.10, 1.58), 4 or more ANC visits (Urban: AOR = 1.32, CI = 1.23, 1.40; Rural: AOR = 1.49, CI = 1.43, 1.56 0.86), requiring permission to go to the health facility (Urban: AOR = 0.67, CI = 0.61, 0.74; Rural: AOR = 0.86, CI = 0.81, 0.91), listening to the radio at least once a week (Urban: AOR = 1.32, CI = 1.23, 1.41; Rural: AOR = 0.86, CI = 0.77, 0.95), and watching television at least once a week (Urban: AOR = 1.11, CI = 1.03, 1.21; Rural: AOR = 1.15, CI = 1.07, 1.24) were significantly associated with PNC service utilisation in both rural and urban areas. However, belonging to a richer wealth status (AOR = 1.11, CI = 1.02, 1.20) and having a problem with distance (AOR = 1.13, CI = 1.07, 1.18) were significant in only rural areas, while having a problem with money for treatment was significant only in urban areas (AOR = 1.15, CI = 1.08, 1.23).

CONCLUSION

In this study, we conclude that the PNC service utilisation within the first 2 months after delivery was low across rural and urban residences. There is, therefore, a need for SSA countries to develop population tailored interventions such as advocacy and health education targeted at women with no formal education in both rural and urban areas. Our study also suggests that SSA countries must intensify radio programs and advertisements on the health benefits of PNC to improve maternal and child health.

Postnatal care services availability and utilization during the COVID-19 era in sub-Saharan Africa: A rapid review

BACKGROUND

Considerable progress has been made globally in improving maternal and newborn babies' health. The COVID-19 pandemic has posed considerable challenges for countries to maintain the provision of high-quality, essential maternal and newborn healthcare services.

METHODS

A rapid review was carried out on 20 March 2022 on postnatal care (PNC) services availability and utilization during the COVID-19 era in sub-Saharan Africa. PubMed, Google Scholar, and Africa Journals Online (AJOL) databases were searched for relevant studies. Studies included in the review utilized both primary data and secondary data.

FINDINGS

Nineteen studies met the inclusion criteria. The review revealed that there were significant declines in the availability and utilization of PNC services during and after the COVID-19 lockdown. Several reasons were found to contribute to the decline.

DISCUSSION

New, innovative strategies are therefore required to ensure that mothers and their newborn babies receive essential PNC to reduce maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. Some of the strategies that can be used include home-based PNC visits, the use of telemedicine, phone-based referral networks, social media, and community radios.

Trend analysis of multi-level determinants of maternal and newborn postnatal care utilization in Pakistan from 2006 to 2018: Evidence from Pakistan Demographic and Health Surveys

BACKGROUND

Postnatal care (PNC) is crucial for maternal and newborn health. Healthcare-seeking practices within the postpartum period help healthcare providers in early detection of complications related to childbirth and post-delivery period. This study aims to investigate trends of PNC utilization from 2006 to 2018, and to explore the effects of multi-level determinants of both maternal and newborn PNC in Pakistan.

METHODS

Secondary data analysis of the last three waves of the nationally representative Pakistan Demographic and Health Surveys (PDHSs) was conducted Analysis was limited to all those women who had delivered a child during the last 5 years preceding each wave of PDHS Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression was applied to determine the association of maternal and newborn PNC utilization with multi-level determinants at individual, community, and institutional levels.

RESULTS

In Pakistan, an upward linear trend in maternal PNC utilization was found, with an increase from 43.5 to 63.6% from 2006 to 2018. However, a non-linear trend was observed in newborn PNC utilization, with an upsurge from 20.6 to 50.5% from 2006 to 2013, nonetheless a decrease of 30.7% in 2018. Furthermore, the results highlighted that the likelihood of maternal and newborn PNC utilization was higher amongst older age women, who completed some years of schooling, were employed, had decision-making and emotional autonomy, had caesarean sections, and delivered at health facilities by skilled birth attendants. Multivariate analysis also revealed higher odds for women of older age, who had decision-making and emotional autonomy, and had caesarean section deliveries over the period of 2006-2018 for both maternal and newborn PNC utilization. Further, higher odds for maternal PNC utilization were found with parity and size of newborn, while less for ANC attendance and available means of transportation. Furthermore, increased odds were recorded for newborn PNC utilization with the number of children, ANC attendance, gender of child and mass media exposure from 2006 to 18.

CONCLUSION

A difference in maternal and newborn PNC utilization was found in Pakistan, attributed to multiple individual (socio-demographic and obstetrics), community, and institutional level determinants. Overall, findings suggest the need to promote the benefits of PNC for early diagnosis of postpartum complications and to plan effective public health interventions to enhance women's access to healthcare facilities and skilled birth assistance to save mothers' and newborns' lives.

Postnatal care services in rural Zambia: a qualitative exploration of user, provider, and community perspectives on quality of care

BACKGROUND

Postnatal care (PNC) is an important set of services offered to the mother and her newborn baby immediately after birth for the first six weeks to prevent maternal and neonatal complications and death. This qualitative study explored user and provider perspectives on quality of PNC services in the selected health facilities within the context of the Maternity Homes Access in Zambia project in the Saving Mothers Giving Life districts in rural Zambia.

METHODS

Between October 2018 and February 2019, forty focus group discussions (FGDs) (n = 160 participants) and twelve in-depth interviews (IDIs) were conducted in four districts in Southern and Eastern provinces. FGDs comprised women who delivered within the last year, fathers, community elders, and volunteers. IDIs comprised health workers at facility, district, and provincial levels. Data were analysed using content analysis guided by the international quality of care domains derived from the World Health Organization quality of care framework. Findings were triangulated to understand perceptions.

RESULTS

Overall, study participants perceived PNC services to be beneficial. Nevertheless, respondents had mixed feelings on the quality of PNC services and expressed a stark difference in their perception of factors affecting service quality. Service users described challenges arising from ineffective communication about the new PNC guidelines, and non-adherence of service providers to quality standards regarding respect, preservation of dignity and emotional support. Other factors were long waiting hours, small examination rooms providing inadequate privacy, and low levels of confidentiality. In contrast, service providers attributed poor service quality to various health system-related factors including low staffing levels, dysfunctional referral services, low supply of essential medicines, supplies, vaccines and equipment for optimal routine emergency obstetric and newborn care and management of complications.

CONCLUSION

These findings highlight important intervention opportunities to improve quality of PNC services in Zambia through better communication and raising awareness on PNC guidelines, respect, preservation of dignity and emotional support to mothers. Interventions should also focus on addressing contextual health system challenges including staffing levels, supply chain for essential medicines and commodities, shortening waiting time, and ensuring functional referral system.

Postnatal care services use by mothers: A comparative study of defaulters versus attendees of postnatal clinics in Enugu

INTRODUCTION

Despite much emphasis on the reproductive health of women, maternal mortality is still high, especially in postnatal period.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the prevalence of postnatal care use and reasons for defaults among mothers attending the child immunization clinics in Enugu, Nigeria.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional comparative study of 400 consecutive nursing mothers who presented at the Institute of Child Health of UNTH and ESUTH, Enugu for Second dose of the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV2) for their babies at 10 weeks postpartum. Data was collected using Interviewer-administered questionnaire and subsequently analyzed with version 22.0 IBM SPSS software, Chicago, Illinois. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.

RESULT

The prevalence of the 6th week postnatal clinic attendance among the mothers was 59%. The majority of the women (60.6%) who had antenatal care by skilled birth attendants attended postnatal clinic. Unawareness and being healthy were the main reasons for not attending postnatal clinic. Following multivariate analysis, place of antenatal (OR = 2.870, 95% C.I = 1.590-5.180, p < 0.001) and mode of delivery (OR = 0.452, 95% C.I = 0.280-0.728, p = 0.001) were the only significant predictors of postnatal clinic attendance (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Postnatal clinic attendance by women in Enugu is still suboptimal. The main reason for non-attendance of the 6th week postnatal clinic was lack of awareness. There is need for healthcare professionals to create awareness about the importance of postnatal care and encourage mothers to attend.

Mothers’ experiences with mHealth intervention for postnatal care utilisation in Nigeria: a qualitative study

Background

The postnatal period implies a crucial and delicate time for both the mother and the newborn. There is a growing body of evidence that is increasingly pointing to mHealth interventions as a potential tool for improved utilisation of maternal and child health services, including postnatal care. This can promote the health of mother and baby during this delicate period. However, the success of the interventions must be explored to validate their usefulness and reliability. Hence, this study explored the experiences of postpartum women on the usefulness of the mHealth intervention (postnatal care assistant) they received.

Methods

Twenty women, who were involved in mHealth intervention were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide. They were recruited from the intervention group of a quasi-experimental study that evaluated the effect of a mHealth intervention on the uptake of postnatal care services. Thematic analysis of data was done using NVivo software version 10.

Results

Five major themes emerged from data shared by the participants. They are general feelings about the messages, benefits derived from the messages about pregnancy and hospital delivery, increased knowledge about baby care, facilitation of PNC utilisation and involvement of significant others in decision making. They affirmed that the information and reminder messages gave them the impetus to utilise postnatal care services.

Conclusion

Mothers reported that mHealth intervention provided immense support and assistance during pregnancy and the reminder messages encouraged them to utilise postnatal care services. This study suggests that improved education and reminder messages via mobile phones are needed during pregnancy and after childbirth to promote mother and child health through the utilization of postnatal care services, and efforts to put this approach to action should be pursued.

Postnatal Care Utilization and Associated Factors among Mothers who gave Birth in the Aysaeta District, Northeast Ethiopia: A Community Based Cross-sectional Study

Background

Postnatal care is given to mothers and newborn babies within 42 days of delivery. It is a period of high maternal and newborn mortality and is also the most neglected in terms of maternal health services in many parts of the world. This study aimed to assess postnatal care and associated factors among mothers who gave birth in the year preceding the survey of the Ayssaeta district.

Methods

A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 406 mothers who gave birth in the year preceding the survey from August 02-30, 2020. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were done to identify factors associated with postnatal care utilization.

Results

Slightly greater than four out of ten mothers have visited postnatal care units at least once. Living in urban areas, giving birth in a health facility, having complications during labor and after, and getting advice during antenatal care visits were associated with higher odds of postnatal care utilization.

Conclusion

Less than half of the mothers received postnatal care following the delivery of their last child. Living in an urban, place of delivery, experiencing labor and postpartum complications, and receiving postnatal care advice during antenatal care have affected the utilization of postnatal care. Promoting skilled delivery and antenatal care with a focus on rural areas can help mothers learn about postnatal care and increase the number of mothers who use it.

Association between frequency of mass media exposure and maternal health care service utilization among women in sub-Saharan Africa: Implications for tailored health communication and education

INTRODUCTION

Awareness creation through mass media has the potential to promoted positive behaviors and discourage negative health-related behaviors through direct and indirect pathways. In this study, we examined the association between exposure to mass media and maternal health care services utilization among women in sub-Saharan Africa.

METHODS

We used data from the recent Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) conducted between 2010 and 2020. A total of 28 countries with a survey dataset within 2010-2020 were included in our study. We included 199,146 women who had ever had a pregnancy in the last five years preceding the survey. Weighting was applied. Multilevel mixed-effect models were considered to account for cluster-level variations and correct inferences. Fixed and random effects estimates were reported. Adjusted odds ratio (aOR) with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to present the results. Also, we presented the random intercept variations, intraclass correlation coefficient, and model fitness.

RESULTS

Women who listened to radio at least once every week (aOR = 1.11, 95% CI = 1.07,1.15) were more likely to attend ANC as against those who did not listen to radio at all. Also, women who watched television at least once a week (aOR = 1.39, 95% CI = 1.33,1.46) were more likely to attend ANC compared to those who did not watch television at all. Women who read newspaper/magazine at least once a week (aOR = 1.27, 95% CI = 1.14,1.41); listened to radio at least once a week (aOR = 1.12, 95% CI = 1.07,1.17); and watched television at least once a week (aOR = 1.32, 95% CI = 1.24,1.40), were more likely to utilize SBA than those who did not read newspaper/magazine; listen to radio; and watch television at all. Women who read newspaper/magazine at least once a week (aOR = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.27,1.45); listened to radio at least once a week (aOR = 1.37, 95% CI = 1.32,1.42); and watched television at least once a week (aOR = 1.39, 95% CI = 1.32,1.47) were more likely to utilize PNC compared to those who did not.

CONCLUSIONS

The study identified a strong positive relationship between mass media exposure and maternal health care services utilization. Specifically, exposure to radio and television were positively associated with ANC visitations. Moreover, exposure to mass media (newspaper/magazine, radio and television) were positively associated with SBA and PNC utilization. Policymakers and other non-governmental organizations should continuously invest resources in the design and implementation of maternal health service utilization educational programs through all the mass media channels to scale up women's maternal health service services utilization uptake in sub-Saharan Africa.

Uptake of postnatal care and its determinants in Ethiopia: a positive deviance approach

BACKGROUND

Postnatal care (PNC) services are an essential intervention for improving maternal and child health. In Ethiopia, PNC service has been poorly implemented, despite the governments and partners' attempt to improve maternal and child health service utilization. Moreover, many literatures identified that women with no education are significantly underutilized the PNC services. Thus, this study aimed to assess the PNC service uptake among women at high risk for underutilization of PNC services and to identify the individual and community level determinants of PNC services uptake in Ethiopia using the positive deviance approach.

METHODS

Data from the Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey 2016 were used. A total of 2417 deviant women (women with no education) were identified through a two-stage stratified sampling technique and included in this analysis. A multilevel mixed-effect binary logistic regression analysis was computed to identify the individual and community-level determinants of PNC services uptake among deviant women. In the final model, a p-value of less than 0.05 and adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to declare statistically significant determinants of PNC services uptake.

RESULTS

In this analysis, the uptake of PNC service among deviant women was 5.8% [95% CI: 4.9-6.8]. Working in the agriculture (AOR = 2.15, 95% CI: 1.13-3.52), being Orthodox religion follower (AOR = 2.56, 95% CI: 1.42-4.57), living in the highest wealth quantile (AOR = 2.22, 95% CI: 1.25-3.91) were the individual level determinants, whereas residing in the city administration (AOR: 3.17, 95% CI: 1.15-8.71), and living closer to health facility (AOR: 1.57, 95% CI: 1.03-2.39) were the community level determinants.

CONCLUSION

The study highlighted a better PNC service uptake among deviant women who are working in the agriculture, follows orthodox religion, lives in highest household wealth status, resides in city administration, and living closer to the health facility. The positive deviance approach provides evidences for health policy makers and program implementers to improve health behavior in specific target population, and ultimately to bring better maternal and child health outcomes, despite acknowledged adverse risk profile. Such strategy and knowledge could facilitate targeted efforts aimed at achieving national goals of maternal and newborn mortality reduction in the country.

Level of Postnatal Checkup in Ethiopia - Implications for Child Health Services

Background

High neonatal mortality rates continue to be a major public health issue in Ethiopia. Despite different maternal and neonatal care interventions, neonatal mortality in Ethiopia is at a steady state. This could be due to the low utilization of neonatal checkups. Thus, nationally assessing the level and predictors of postnatal checkups could provide important information for further improving neonatal healthcare services.

Materials and Methods

A secondary data analysis of the 2016 Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS) was performed on 7,586 women who had live births in the 2 years before the survey. All variables with a p-value of ≤0.25 in the bivariable analysis were entered into the final model for multivariable analysis, and the level of statistical significance was declared at a P-value of <0.05.

Results

According to the national survey, only 8.3% [95% CI: 8.19, 8.41] of neonates received postnatal checkups. About two-thirds of women, 62.8% had antenatal care visits, 67.9%, gave birth at home, and 95.7% were unaware of neonatal danger signs. Distance from health care institutions [AOR = 1.42; 95% CI: 1.06, 1.89], giving birth in a healthcare facility [AOR = 1.55; 95% CI: 1.12, 2.15], antenatal care visit [AOR = 3.0; 95% CI: 1.99, 4.53], and neonatal danger signs awareness [AOR = 3.06; 95% CI: 2.09, 4.5] were all associated with postnatal care visits.

Conclusion

The number of neonates who had a postnatal checkup was low. Increasing antenatal care visit utilization, improving institutional delivery, raising awareness about neonatal danger signs, increasing access to health care facilities, and implementing home-based neonatal care visits by healthcare providers could all help to improve postnatal checkups.

Prevalence and factors associated with utilisation of postnatal care in Sierra Leone: a 2019 national survey

Background

Within Sub-Saharan Africa, some countries still report unacceptably high rates of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality, despite improvements in the utilisation of maternity care services. Postnatal care (PNC) is one of the recommended packages in the continuum of maternity care aimed at reducing maternal and neonatal mortality. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with PNC utilisation in Sierra Leone.

Methods

We used Sierra Leone Demographic and Health Survey (UDHS) 2019 data of 7326 women aged 15 to 49 years. We conducted multivariable logistic regression to determine the factors associated with PNC utilisation, using SPSS version 25.

Results

Out of 7326 women, 6625 (90.4, 95% CI: 89.9–91.2) had at least one PNC contact for their newborn, 6646 (90.7, 95% CI: 90.2–91.5) had a postnatal check after childbirth and 6274 (85.6, 95% CI: 85.0–86.6) had PNC for both their babies and themselves. Delivery by caesarean section (aOR 8.01, 95% CI: 3.37–19.07), having a visit by a health field worker (aOR 1.80, 95% CI: 1.46–2.20), having had eight or more ANC contacts (aOR 1.37, 95% CI: 1.08–1.73), having tertiary education (aOR 2.71, 95% CI: 1.32–5.56) and having no big problems seeking permission to access healthcare (aOR 1.51, 95% CI: 1.19–1.90) were associated with higher odds of PNC utilisation. On the other hand, being resident in the Northern (aOR 0.48, 95% CI: 0.29–0.78) and Northwestern regions (aOR 0.54, 95% CI: 0.36–0.80), belonging to a female headed household (aOR 0.69, 95% CI: 0.56–0.85) and being a working woman (aOR 0.66, 95% CI: 0.52–0.84) were associated with lower odds of utilizing PNC.

Conclusion

Factors associated with utilisation of PNC services operate at individual, household, community and health system/policy levels. Some of them can be ameliorated by targeted government interventions to improve utilisation of PNC services.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-022-12494-5.

Maternal and Child Health Services in Rural Settings of The Gambia: Contextual Determinants of Postnatal Care from Mothers’ Perspectives—A Community-Based Analytical Cross-Sectional Study

Background. Maternal and child health in The Gambia is a trending public health burden. The postnatal period is critical and vital to the lives and health of the maternal mothers and their newborns, and pieces of evidence deduced that a majority of maternal and newborn deaths occur during this period. Hence, this research aimed to assess the prevalence and determinants of postnatal care utilization across women in rural Gambia. Methods. A community-based cross-sectional design was conducted in January 2020, with 265 women of childbearing age were recruited from the selected households in rural communities across the Upper River Region (URR), Gambia, using multistage sampling technique. A structured-interview questionnaire was developed to elicit contextual sociodemographic characteristics regarding the use of postnatal care. Percentages, chi-square/Fisher’s exact test for variables with $p$ value ≤0.15 were considered for inclusion into the logistic regression model. The significance level was set at $p<0.05$ . The adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were computed to declare significance. Results. The study revealed that 90% of women utilize postnatal care (PNC) services in the rural settings of URR, Gambia. Factors such as women’s occupation, location, number of pregnancies, attending in last pregnancy, current uptake of family planning, and complication(s) in last labor were found to be associated with PNC utilization. Women who attended antenatal care (ANC) services in their last pregnancy were 10.8 times (aOR = 10.795, 95% CI: 1.025–113.694), current users of FP were 10.7 times (aOR = 10.708, 95% CI: 1.379–83.152), women’s number of pregnancies increases by a factor of 4.6 times (aOR = 4.649, 95% CI: 1.518–14.243) more likely to utilize PNC while women’s number of children alive were less likely by 76.1% (aOR = 0.239, 95% CI: 0.071–0.810) as compared to those who were not utilizing PNC services. Conclusion. The findings showed that attending ANC services, current uptake of FP, women’s number of pregnancies, and number of children alive were associated with PNC. Strengthening women empowerment and designing responsive ANC programs especially for rural women to improve PNC services are required.

The large-scale community-based programme 'Suchana' improved maternal healthcare practices in north-eastern Bangladesh: Findings from a cluster randomized pre-post study

Adequate maternal healthcare practices are crucial to both maternal and infant nutrition outcomes. The Sylhet region of Bangladesh is vulnerable and performs poorly, as maternal and child health indicators are falling behind compared to other areas. Suchana, a large-scale intervention programme aims to improve the health and nutritional status of mothers and children in this region. The objective of the present analysis is to assess the changes in indicators related to maternal healthcare practices among Suchana beneficiaries. We obtained data from the Suchana baseline and endline evaluation survey. Descriptive statistics were employed to summarize data. The following maternal healthcare practices were considered: if a Suchana beneficiary mother received antenatal care (ANC) from skilled service providers, took day time resting during pregnancy, consumed additional diet during pregnancy, took at least 100 iron-folic acid (IFA) tablets during pregnancy and took a vitamin A capsule after delivery. Logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the impact of the Suchana intervention on maternal healthcare practices. The prevalence of the outcome variables at endline in the intervention area were as follows: 40% of mothers received at least four ANC from skilled service providers, 50% practiced daytime resting during pregnancy, 51% consumed additional diet during pregnancy, 41% took at least 100 iron-folic acid tablets during pregnancy, 39% received postnatal care and 30% took a vitamin A capsule after delivery. The Suchana intervention significantly, positively improved indicators related to maternal healthcare practices; these findings support future larger-scale programmes to improve maternal healthcare practices among vulnerable people in rural Bangladesh.

Determinants of Postnatal Care and Timing of the First Postnatal Care for Newborns in Ethiopia: Further Analysis of 2019 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey

BACKGROUND

Neonatal mortality remains a persisting public health challenge in Ethiopia. Most of the factors that lead to neonatal deaths could be prevented through postnatal checkups. However, in Ethiopia, the provision of postnatal care (PNC) continues to be low. This study aims to assess the socioeconomic and demographic factors associated with PNC visits and the timing of PNC among newborns in Ethiopia.

METHODS

Using the Ethiopia Mini Demographic and Health Survey (EMDHS) 2019, a total weighted sample of 2,105 women aged 15-49 giving birth in the 2 years preceding the survey were included in the study. The generalized linear mixed models were separately fitted to identify factors associated with any PNC for newborns delivered at home and health facilities. Multinomial logistic regression was used to assess the timing of PNC with their associated factors.

RESULTS

Overall, only 13% (95% CI: 11.2, 14.0) of the newborns received PNC in Ethiopia. Among newborns delivered at home, utilization of any PNC was determined by region, maternal educational status, and birth order. On the other hand, among newborns delivered in a health facility, region, number of antenatal care (ANC) visits, and religion were determinants of any PNC. Furthermore, utilization of the first PNC within 48 h after the delivery was determined by region and religion. On the other hand, utilization of the first PNC after 48 h after the delivery was determined by region number of ANC visits, maternal educational status, and religion.

CONCLUSION

The finding of the current study revealed low coverage of PNC among newborns regardless of the place of delivery in Ethiopia. The study makes the following recommendation: increase community health education on PNC, encourage delivery at health facilities, and link community home birth with PNC. It will be more valuable if there is sharing good practice.

Influence of Structured Training Programme on Healthcare Workers’ Knowledge of Recommended Postnatal Care Services in Nigeria

Introduction

The lack of continuous training of maternal and child healthcare providers has been identified as one of the factors contributing to the poor quality of maternal and child healthcare services in Nigeria.

Objectives

The study aimed to evaluate the level of postnatal care-related knowledge among healthcare workers in Osun State and the impact of a structured training program on their learning.

Method

A quasi-experimental research design using pre-test and post-test control groups was utilized in this study. One hundred and sixty-one healthcare workers were recruited from six Local Government Areas (LGA) and randomized into intervention and control groups. The healthcare workers in the intervention group (n = 82) were exposed to a 3-day structured training program. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data before, immediately, and 3-months after the training. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, multiple linear regression, t-test, and repeated measure analysis of variance (ANOVA) with posthoc pairwise comparison.

Results

The mean ages of healthcare workers in the intervention and control groups are 40.96 ± 6.91 and 42.52 ± 7.58, respectively. At baseline, the mean knowledge score of the intervention and control groups were 60.0 ± 11.6 and 63.7 ± 10.4, respectively. There is a significant difference in the mean knowledge score of healthcare workers in the intervention group compared with those in the control group immediately after the training (t = 12.04, p < .001) and after 3-months of data collection training (t = 5.92, p < .001). A multivariate linear regression confirmed the positive effect of group membership (intervention vs. control) on the post-test knowledge among respondents (p < .001).

Conclusion

An educational training significantly improved the knowledge of healthcare workers on the recommended postnatal care.

Non-utilization of postnatal care and its associated factors among women who gave birth in rural districts of Northern Ethiopia: A community-based mixed-method study

Objectives:

This study assessed the non-utilization of PNC services, identified factors associated with PNC non-utilization, and explored barriers to PNC utilization in the rural community.

Method:

A community-based mixed-cross-sectional study was conducted from 20 March to 20 April 2020 among 521 women who gave birth in the last 12 months prior to this survey. A multistage sampling and face-to-face interview techniques were used for the quantitative data collection, and a purposive sampling technique was used to select the study participants. In-depth interviews were used for the qualitative data collection. The quantitative data were entered into EpiData version 3.1 and then exported to SPSS version 25 for analysis. A binary logistic regression analysis was used to test the association between the independent and outcome variables. A p-value of <0.2 was used as the cutoff value to include variables in the multivariate analysis. Finally, a p-value of <0.05 was used to declare an independent association. The qualitative data were manually sorted, cleaned up, and labeled as themes. Every major theme was identified and enumerated, and the meaning units were cited together with the relevant participant’s socio-demographic details.

Result:

The non-utilization of postnatal care was found to be 75.4% in the area. Normal delivery, fewer than four antenatal care visits, inaccessibility to transportation, and poor knowledge of postnatal care were all identified as factors enhancing non-utilization of postnatal care. However, being informed about postnatal care positively influences postnatal care utilization. Poor awareness, information gaps, cultural and religious beliefs, service inaccessibility, and the unfriendly approach of healthcare workers were all explored as barriers in the qualitative study.

Conclusions:

The non-utilization of PNC services in this study was higher than the majority, but not all, of the previous comparable local and worldwide findings. Mode of delivery, hearing postnatal care information, the number of antenatal visits, transportation availability, and knowledge of postnatal care services were factors affecting the non-utilization of postnatal care. The clients’ poor awareness, information gaps, cultural and religious beliefs, service inaccessibility, and healthcare staff’s inauspicious approach were barriers explored. Therefore, counseling and transportation access need to be reinforced in the setting.

Understanding the Change in the Prevalence and Factors Influencing the Childhood Stunting Using District-Level Data from NFHS-4 and NFHS-5 in India

To compare the district level prevalence of childhood stunting between NFHS-4 and NFHS-5 and to explore the correlates of it at the district level. Although malnutrition rates in India have decreased over a period, country is still a home for the highest number of stunted and wasted children in the world. Among the South Asian countries, India has the second highest number of stunted children. An ecological study conducted by using the data from fourth and fifth round of National Family Health Survey. Study concentrated on percentage of children who were stunted across 692 Indian districts during 2 survey periods and its correlates from NFHS-5. District level change in childhood stunting was calculated by differencing the NFHS-5 estimates from NFHS-4. Descriptive statistics were used to understand the nature of the variables and Moran’s I statistic was calculated to check for the spatial autocorrelation in the childhood stunting. Spatial error regression model was used to identify the correlates of childhood stunting. Among the Indian districts considered, 243 districts showed the increase in childhood stunting between the time periods considered. Currently, about 33.56% of children in India are stunted and there is high spatial disparity in the prevalence of childhood stunting among the districts of it. Major hotspots of childhood stunting were found in the parts of UP, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal. Households access to improved sanitation facility, iodized salt, clean fuel, women 10 plus years of schooling, post-natal care of mother were found to be the significant protective factors. Closed spacing of births, teenage pregnancy, low BMI of women, childhood diarrhea, and anemia were found to be the significant risk factors of childhood stunting. Stunting depends on several other factors apart from poverty, working on these factors will help in reducing childhood stunting in India.

Determinants of Postnatal Care Check-ups in Ethiopia: A Multi-Level Analysis

Background

Postnatal care is provided to women and their babies within 42 days after delivery. Although the first two days after birth was a critical time in maternal health, it was the most neglected period of maternal health services. Therefore, this study aims to determine the maternal and community-level factors of postnatal check-ups in Ethiopia

Methods

Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS) in 2016 was utilized. A total of 3,948 women aged 15–49 giving birth in the two years before the survey were included. A multi-level mixed-effects logistic regression model was employed.

Result

Only 17% [95% C.I; 16.46%–17.53%] of the women had a postnatal check-up (PNC) within 2 days of giving birth in Ethiopia. Institutional delivery AOR 2.14 [95% C.I 1.70, 2.0] and giving birth by cesarean section AOR 1.66 [95% CI 1.10, 2.50] were found to be maternal factors. Whereas, administrative regions (Oromia 69%, Somali 56%, Benishangul 55%, SNNPR 43%, Gambela 66%, Afar 50% and Dire Dawa 55% which less likely to utilize PNC as compared to Addis Ababa), higher community-level wealth AOR 1.44 [95% C.I 1.08, 1.2], ANC coverage AOR 1.52 [95% C.I 1.19, 1.96] and perceived distance of the health facility as a big problem AOR 0.78 [95% C.I 0.60, 0.99] were the community level factors.

Conclusion

Both maternal factors and community factors are found to be a significant association with PNC, however, based on the ICC maternal factors prevail the community-level factors. Therefore, public health interventions to increasing improve postnatal care services should focus on community level determinants.

Association between antenatal care utilization pattern and timely initiation of postnatal care checkup: Analysis of 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey

BACKGROUND

Despite significant public health intervention, maternal mortality remains high in low- and middle-income countries, including Ethiopia. Effective postnatal care is a critical service to reduce maternal mortality. In Ethiopia, only 17% of mothers received postnatal care services in 2016.

OBJECTIVE

This study examined the association between antenatal care and timely postnatal care checkup among reproductive-age women in Ethiopia.

METHODS

The study used the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey data. The current study included 4,081 women who give birth in the two years preceding the survey. Chi-square test and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to examine the association between antenatal care and timely initiation of postnatal care.

RESULTS

Postnatal care services within 2 days of delivery were received by 16.5% of women. Women who had at least four timely antenatal care visits had higher odds of timely postnatal checkups compared to women who had no antenatal care [adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR): 2.50; 95% CI 1.42-4.42]. Women who had at least four antennal care visits without timely initiation also had higher odds of postnatal check-up than their counterparts (aOR: 2.46; 95%CI: 1.22-4.97). Other factors significantly associated with timely initiation of PNC were secondary and above education (aOR: 1.64; 95%CI: 1.03-2.60), perceived distance to the nearby health facility as a significant barrier (aOR: 1.55; 95%CI: 1.15-2.09), primiparous (aOR: 0.34; 95%CI: 0.19-0.61) and institutional delivery (aOR: 14.55; 95%CI: 2.21-95.77).

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of timely initiation of postnatal care in Ethiopia is very low. Women who received recommended antenatal care services had higher odds of timely initiation of postnatal care. Thus, strengthening the existing maternal and child health programs to adhere to the recommended ANC care guidelines may improve the timely initiation of postnatal care.

Determinants of postnatal care service utilization among mothers of Mangochi district, Malawi: a community-based cross-sectional study

Background

Postnatal care (PNC) service is a neglected yet an essential service that can reduce maternal, neonatal and infant morbidity and mortality rates in low and middle-income countries. In Malawi, maternal and infant mortality rates remain high despite numerous efforts by the government and its partners to improve maternal health service coverage across the country. This study examined the determinants of PNC utilization among mothers in Mangochi District, Malawi.

Methods

A community based cross-sectional study was conducted among 600 mothers who gave birth in the past 2 years preceding January 1–31; 2016. A multistage sampling technique was employed to select respondents from nine randomly selected villages in Mangochi district. A transcribed semi-structured questionnaire was pre-tested, modified and used to collect data on socio-demographic characteristics and maternal related factors. Data was coded in EpiData version 3.1 and analysed in Stata version 12. A multivariable logistic regression adjusted for confounding factors was used to identify predictors of PNC utilization using odds ratio with 95% confidence interval and p-value of 0.05.

Results

The study revealed that the prevalence of PNC service utilization was 84.8%. Mother’s and partner’s secondary education level and above (AOR = 2.42, CI: 1.97–6.04; AOR = 1.45, CI: 1.25–2.49), partner’s occupation in civil service and business (AOR = 3.17, CI: 1.25, 8.01; AOR =3.39, CI:1.40–8.18), household income of at least MK50, 000 (AOR = 14.41, CI: 5.90–35.16), joint decision making (AOR = 2.27, CI: 1.13, 4.57), knowledge of the available PNC services (AOR = 4.06, CI: 2.22–7.41), knowledge of at least one postpartum danger sign (AOR = 4.00, CI: 2.09, 7.50), health facility delivery of last pregnancy (AOR = 6.88, CI: 3.35, 14.14) positively associated with PNC service utilization.

Conclusion

The rate of PNC service utilization among mothers was 85%. The uptake of PNC services among mothers was mainly influenced by mother and partner education level, occupation status of the partner, household income, decision making power, knowledge of available PNC services, knowledge of at least one postpartum danger signs, and place of delivery. Therefore, PNC awareness campaigns, training and economic empowerment programs targeting mothers who delivered at home with primary education background and low economic status are needed.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12884-021-04061-4.

Postnatal care service utilization and its determinants in East Gojjam Zone, Northwest Ethiopia: A mixed-method study

BACKGROUND

The days and weeks after childbirth are crucial for both the mother and her newborn child leading for the majority of maternal and perinatal mortalities. The World Health Organization recommends at least three postnatal visits within 42 days after birth. However, postnatal care utilization remains low worldwide. Quantitative findings revealed low utilization of postnatal care in Ethiopia, however, no study explored the barriers for postnatal care. This study aimed to assess the barriers to postnatal care service utilization in East Gojjam Zone, Northwest Ethiopia.

METHODS

A community-based, mixed type cross-sectional study was conducted from December 15, 2018, to February 15, 2019. The quantitative data was gathered using the interviewer-administered interviewing technique from 751 women who gave birth within one year prior to the study selected by multistage sampling. The qualitative data were collected from purposively sampled women, facility leaders, and health extension workers using in-depth interviews and focused group discussions. The quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed using logistic regression and by the thematic content analysis method, respectively.

RESULTS

The study revealed that postnatal care service utilization was 34.6%. The odds of using PNC services were greater in women aged 25-34 years and used maternity waiting home. In contrast, women who were muslim religion followers, had normal or instrumental birth, not aware of the PNC services and whose partners were not supportive of the use of MCH services were less likely to use PNC services. According to the qualitative findings, lack of awareness, traditional beliefs and religious practices, distance and transportation, environmental exposure, and waiting time were identified as barriers to PNC service utilization.

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

The study showed low utilization of PNC services in East Gojjam zone, northwest Ethiopia. Improvements in personal health education, in construction of relevant infrastructure, and to transport, are needed to remove or reduce barriers to PNC service use in East Gojjam Zone, Northwest Ethiopia.

Prevalence of Early Postnatal-Care Service Utilization and Its Associated Factors among Mothers in Hawassa Zuria District, Sidama Regional State, Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background

A postnatal care given after childbirth is a critical care to promote health and to prevent complications of the mother and newborn. However, utilization of this service is low in Ethiopia, and little is known about its coverage and determinants. Thus, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of early postnatal-care service utilization and its associated factors among mothers in Hawassa Zuria district, Sidama Regional State, Ethiopia.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted from 20 February to 20 March 2020 in Hawassa Zuria District among randomly selected 320 mothers. Data were collected by using interviewer-administered structured questionnaires. Data entered were into Epi data version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 26 for analysis. Descriptive, bivariable, and multivariable logistic regression analysis with odds ratio and 95% confidence interval were conducted. A P value <0.05 was considered a statistically significant association. Finally, the results were presented by texts, tables, and figures.

Result

The prevalence of early postnatal-care service utilization was 29.7% (95% CI = 24.7, 35.5). Age below 25 years [AOR = 3.2 (95% CI = 1.37, 7.48)], having planned and supported pregnancy for last birth [AOR = 2.2 (95% CI = 1.13, 4.38)], having information about obstetric danger signs [AOR = 2.1 (95% CI = 1.25, 3.78)], and having positive attitude on use postnatal services [AOR = 3.5 (95% CI = 1.94, 6.32)] were factors associated with early postnatal-care utilization.

Conclusion

The finding revealed that early postnatal-care utilization in the study area was low. Strengthening family planning services, giving information on obstetrics danger signs, and creating awareness about postnatal care will improve uptake of the service in a timely manner.

Postnatal care coverage and its determinants in Sri Lanka: analysis of the 2016 demographic and health survey

BACKGROUND

Postnatal care (PNC) is important for preventing morbidity and mortality in mothers and newborns. Even though its importance is highlighted, PNC received less attention than antenatal care. This study determines the level of PNC coverage and its determinants in Srilanka.

METHODS

This is a secondary analysis of the 2016 Demographic and Health Survey. Receiving full postnatal care (FPNC) was defined with a set of indicators to detect adequate care for mother and newborn. Demographic and socio-economic associated factors for receiving FPNC were identified using binary and multiple logistic regression. Variables that had marginal relationship with receiving FPNC which p-value less than or equal to 0.2 at binary analysis were selected and included in the multiple logistic regression models. We used manual backward stepwise regression to identify variables which had independent association with receiving FPNC on the basis of adjusted odds ratios (AOR), with 95% confidence interval (CI) and p-value less than 0.05. All analyses were performed in SPSS 25.

RESULTS

Of the 8313 women with a live birth in the last 5 years, more than 98% had received postnatal care at facility at least 24 h. More than three-fourth of mothers (n = 5104) received the FPNC according to WHO guideline. Four factors were positively associated with receiving FPNC: mothers received antenatal home visits by Public health midwife (AOR = 1.98, 95% CI 1.65-2.39), mothers who got information about antenatal complications and places to go at antenatal clinics (AOR = 1.56, 95% CI 1.27-1.92), been Sinhala (AOR = 1.89, 95% CI 1.35-2.66) and having own mobile phone (AOR = 1.19, 95% CI 1.02-1.38). Mothers who are residing in rural area (AOR = 0.697 95% CI = 0.52-0.93] compared to those who reside in urban areas and maternal age between 20 and 34 years [AOR = 0.72, 95% CI 0.54-0.97] compared to maternal age less than 20 years were detected as negatively associated.

CONCLUSION

Receiving FPNC in Srilanka is high. However, inequity remains to be a challenge. Socio-demographic factors are associated with FPNC coverage. Strategies that aim to improve postnatal care should target improvement of non-health factors as well.

Utilization of Postnatal Care among Rural Women in Punjab

Background:

The postchildbirth period presents considerable challenges in the form of health risks for the mother and the newborn, yet postnatal care (PNC) remains seldom utilized maternal and newborn health intervention.

Objectives:

The present study aims to study the coverage of PNC among rural women in Punjab and understand the factors that determine the utilization of PNC services.

Materials and Methods:

From rural areas of seven districts of Punjab, a total of 420 respondents were questioned using semi-structured interview schedule. Binary logistic regression is employed to understand the factors that influence the utilization of complete PNC.

Results:

The utilization of complete PNC has remained mere 25.9% in the present study. The results of multivariate logistic regression reveal that variables district, caste, birth order, and type of delivery significantly influence the utilization of complete PNC.

Conclusion:

The utilization of PNC component is found to be abysmal as compared to antenatal component and institutional delivery among the study group. There is a need to create awareness regarding the necessity of PNC among the women.

Prevalence and Factors Associated with Immediate Postnatal Care Utilization in Ethiopia: Analysis of Ethiopian Demographic Health Survey 2016

Background

Maternal mortality is unacceptably high in Ethiopia. Most maternal complications are preventable using immediate postnatal care. However, it is not utilized effectively. Hence, this study can assist in formulation of national policies to increase use of immediate postnatal care in Ethiopia.

Objective

To assess the prevalence and factors associated with immediate postnatal care utilization in Ethiopia, in 2016.

Methods

Secondary data analysis was done on Ethiopian Demographic Health Survey 2016 data, in a stratified, two-stage, and cluster sampling study. This analysis was restricted to postnatal women who had given birth at least once in the five years before the survey. Chi-square test of statistics was performed to identify factors associated with immediate postnatal care service uptake. Bi-variable and multi-variable logistic regression analyses were carried out to identify factors associated with immediate postnatal care utilization. Odds ratio with 95% confidence level was computed and P-value < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant in the multivariable logistic regression.

Results

The overall level of immediate postnatal care service utilization was 6.3% in Ethiopia. Urban setting (AOR=2.3, 95% CI, 1.9, 2.9), higher education status (AOR=1.6, 95% CI, 1.3, 2.0), secondary education status (AOR=2.6, 95% CI, 1.9, 3.6), primary education status (AOR=3.1, 95% CI 2.0, 4.6), always listening to the radio (AOR=2.4, 95% CI, 1.7, 3.2), being in a richer wealth quintile (AOR=4.2, 95% CI, 3.0, 5.8), being in a middle wealth quintile (AOR=2.8, 95% CI, 2.0, 3.9), being in a poorer wealth quintile (AOR=1.9, 95% CI, 1.3, 2.8), having fewer than six children (AOR=1.3, 95% CI, 1.1, 2.0), and being told about pregnancy complications (AOR=2.2, 95%CI, 1.7, 2.7) were factors positively associated with utlilization of immediate postnatal care.

Conclusion

Prevalence of immediate postnatal care utilization is still low in Ethiopia. Awareness should be created about immediate postnatal care utilization through the efforts of health extension workers. In addition, the Ethiopian government should design strategies to enhance the socio-economic status of women. Beside these, information about postnatal care and its benefit is critical and can be transmitted through mass media.

Are Ghanaian women meeting the WHO recommended maternal healthcare (MCH) utilisation? Evidence from a national survey

Background

To achieve the Sustainable Development Goal target 3.1, the World Health Organisation recommends that all pregnant women receive antenatal care (ANC) from skilled providers, utilise the services of a skilled birth attendant at birth and receive their first postnatal care (PNC) within the first 24 h after birth. In this paper, we examined the maternal characteristics that determine utilisation of skilled ANC, skilled birth attendance (SBA), and PNC within the first 24 h after delivery in Ghana.

Methods

We used data from the 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey. Women aged 15-49 with birth history not exceeding five before the survey were included in the study. A total of 2839 women were included. Binary logistic regression was employed at a 95% level of significance to determine the association between maternal factors and maternal healthcare (MCH) utilisation. Bivariate and multivariate regression was subsequently used to assess the drivers.

Results

High proportion of women had ANC (93.2%) with skilled providers compared to the proportion that had SBA (76.9%) and PNC within the first 24 h after delivery (25.8%). Only 21.2% utilised all three components of MCH. Women who were covered by national health insurance scheme (NHIS) had a higher likelihood (AOR = 1.31, CI = 1.04 – 1.64) of utilising all three components of MCH as compared to those who were not covered by NHIS. Women with poorer wealth status (AOR = 0.72, CI = 0.53 – 0.97) and those living with partners (AOR = 0.65, CI = 0.49 – 0.86) were less likely to utilise all three MCH components compared to women with poorest wealth status and the married respectively.

Conclusion

The realisation that poorer women, those unsubscribed to NHIS and women living with partners have a lower likelihood of utilising the WHO recommended MCH strongly suggest that it is crucial for the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service to take pragmatic steps to increase education about the importance of having ANC with a skilled provider, SBA, and benefits of having the first 24 h recommended PNC.

Early postnatal discharge during COVID-19: A cross-sectional study

Introduction:

Postnatal hospital stay is decreased by 30% during COVID-19 in developed countries. However, there is paucity of data in developing countries. Hence, this study aims to assess the prevalence of early postnatal discharge during COVID-19 in Jimma Health Centers.

Methods:

Facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from 1 February to 30 March 2021. Sample was calculated using single population proportion formula and allocated proportionally to the health centers. Data were interred into Epidata version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 22.0 for analysis. Multivariable regression was done to identify associating factors at p < 0.05.

Result:

Three hundred ninety women were included into study making a response rate of 96.8%. Early discharge prevalence was 316 (81.0%). Attending elementary school adjusted odds ratio = 0.26 (confidence interval = 0.087–0.798), plan for postnatal care within a week adjusted odds ratio = 0.410 (confidence interval = 0.221–0.760), knowing postnatal maternal danger sign adjusted odds ratio = 0.258 (confidence interval = 0.141–0.473), women adjusted odds ratio = 0.421 (confidence interval = 0.211–0.838), or husband adjusted odds ratio = 0.051 (confidence interval = 0.014–0.186) made decision of discharge were negatively and distance on foot <30 min adjusted odds ratio = 3 (confidence interval = 1.121–8.058) was positively associated with early discharge significantly.

Conclusion:

This study has identified early postnatal discharge is high which can contribute to reduce the risk of acquiring COVID-19. However, the authors recommend further study to differentiate whether early discharge is due to COVID-19 or other reasons.

Interrelationships between early antenatal care, health facility delivery and early postnatal care among women in Uganda: a structural equation analysis

BACKGROUND

Early medical checkups during and after delivery are key strategies to detect, prevent and treat maternal health concerns. Knowledge of interrelationships between early Antenatal Care (ANC), skilled delivery and early postnatal care (EPNC) is essential for focused and well-targeted interventions. This paper investigated the interconnectedness between maternal health services in Uganda.

OBJECTIVE

This study examines the predictors of interrelationships between early antenatal care, health facility delivery and early postnatal care.

METHODS

We used a sample of 10,152 women of reproductive ages (15-49), who delivered a child five years prior to the 2016 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey. A generalized Structural Equation Model and STATA 13.0 software were used.

RESULTS

Early ANC was a mediating factor for health facility delivery (aOR=1.04; 95% CI=1.01-1.14) and EPNC (aOR=1.1; 95% CI=1.05-1.26). Increased odds of early ANC utilization was directly associated with: Adult women aged 35-49 (aOR=1.18; 95% CI=1.10-1.35), having completed primary seven (aOR=1.68; 95% CI=1.56-1.84); distance to a health facility (aOR=1.35; 95% CI=1.23-1.73) and costs (aOR=1.85; 95% CI=1.31-2.12) not being a problem, available community workers (aOR=1.06; 95% CI=1.04-1.17), pregnancy complications (aOR=2.04; 95% CI=1.85-2.26) and desire for pregnancy (aOR=1.15; 95% CI=1.07-1.36). Through early ANC utilization, being married (aOR=1.16; (=1.04*1.10)), no distance issues ((aOR=1.40; (=1.04*1.35)) and complications (aOR=2.12; (=1.04*2.04)) indirectly influenced utilization of health facility delivery. Women aged 20-34 (aOR=1.01; (=0.92*1.1)), completing primary seven (aOR=1.85; (=1.69*1.1)) and no cost problems (aOR=2.04; (=1.85*1.1)) indirectly influenced EPNC.

CONCLUSION

Early antenatal care was a mediating factor for health facility delivery and EPNC; and hence, there is need for more focus on factors for increased early antenatal care utilization. Women with higher education and those with no cost problems were more likely to have early ANC utilization, skilled delivery and EPNC; therefore there is need to design and implement policies targeting social and economically disadvantaged women.

Postnatal Care Service Utilisation in Ethiopia: Reflecting on 20 Years of Demographic and Health Survey Data

Background: Most maternal deaths in the world occur during the postpartum period, especially within the first two days following delivery. This makes postnatal care (PNC) critical to improving the chances of maternal and child survival. Over the past 20 years, the proportion of women receiving antenatal care (ANC) in Ethiopia has increased while the proportion of those receiving PNC has remained low. This study aimed to understand the trends, determinants and urban–rural variations of PNC service utilisation. Methods: This study draws on the Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS) data for the years 2000 (n = 4552), 2005 (n = 4467), 2011 (n = 4445) and 2016 (n = 4275) to estimate the trends and determinants of PNC service utilisation. Multivariate logistic regression models with adjustment for clustering and sampling weights were used to investigate the association between the independent factors, the study factors and PNC service utilisation. Results: Over the twenty-year period of the EDHS, the proportion of Ethiopian women who received PNC services increased from 5.6% (95% CI: 4.6–6.9%) in 2000 to 18.5% (95% CI: 16.4–20.7%) in 2016. Similarly, women who received PNC services in urban areas increased from 15.2% (95% CI: 23.6–30.7%) in 2000 to 47% (95% CI: 60.4–67.3%) in 2016. Women who were in the wealthy quintile, had ANC visits, delivered in a health facility, and delivered by caesarean section were most likely to have PNC. The present study also showed that whilst birth spacing was a significant factor among urban women, wealth index, ANC visits, and perception of health facility distance were significant factors among rural women. Conclusions: The study suggests low levels of utilisation of PNC among Ethiopian women from rural districts. Geographically targeted interventions with a focus on low-socioeconomic rural women, and those with no previous contacts with the health system during pregnancy, are needed to improve PNC in Ethiopia.

Postpartum modern contraception utilization and its determinants in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Contraceptive use is the best and most cost-effective strategy to reduce feto-maternal adverse effects of short birth intervals. More than two-thirds of women in developing countries who do not want to conceive are not using contraception methods. Although there were various primary studies in different parts of the country, there is no nationally representative evidence on postpartum modern contraception utilization and its determinants in Ethiopia.

OBJECTIVE

This review was aimed to determine the best available pieces of evidence to pool the magnitude of postpartum modern contraception utilization and find out its determinants.

METHODS

Published studies were extensively searched by using electronic databases and unpublished studies were identified from the digital library. All observational studies conducted on the magnitude of postpartum modern contraception utilization and its determinants in Ethiopia were included. Data were extracted on the Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and analyzed using STATA 14.1 version. A random-effects model was used to estimate the pooled magnitude of postpartum modern contraception utilization with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Inverse variance (I2) was used to identify the presence of heterogeneity and forest plot was used to estimate the pooled magnitude of postpartum contraception utilization. The presence of publication bias was assessed by funnel plots and Egger's statistical tests. Sub-group analysis was computed to minimize underlying heterogeneity.

FINDINGS

In this review, 19 primary studies were included. The pooled magnitude of postpartum modern contraception utilization in Ethiopia was 45.79% (95%CI 36.45%, 55.13%). The review found that having more than four Antenatal care visits(ANC), having postnatal care visit (PNC), having a formal education, history of family planning use, history of counseling on family planning, and having greater than four alive children as significant determinants of postpartum modern contraception utilization.

CONCLUSION

The magnitude of postpartum modern contraception utilization in Ethiopia was low. ANC visit, PNC visit, maternal educational status, history of previous family planning use, counseling on family planning, and number of alive children were found to be significant determinants of postpartum modern contraception utilization. Therefore, strengthening focused ANC and PNC services to encourage women in utilizing modern contraception during the postnatal period is needed.

Determinants of postnatal care utilization in sub-Saharan Africa: a meta and multilevel analysis of data from 36 sub-Saharan countries

Introduction

Globally, over 65% of maternal deaths occur during the first 42 days of postpartum while the same proportion of neonatal deaths occur during the first 7 days of life. In sab- Saharan Africa, 4.7 million mothers, newborns, and children die on annual basis. As to our knowledge, there is no study on postnatal care utilization that incorporates all sub-Saharan Africa countries that had DHS data. Therefore, this study aimed at identifying pooled magnitude and determinants of postnatal care utilization in sub-Saharan Africa.

Method

A population-based cross-sectional study from the most recent Demographic and Health Surveys data from the period of 2006 to 2018 of 36 SSA countries were used. A total weighted sample of 286,255 reproductive-age women who gave birth 5 years preceding the survey were included in the study. A meta-analysis of DHS data of each Sub-Saharan countries was conducted to generate pooled magnitude and a forest plot was used to present it. A multilevel logistic regression model was fitted to identify determinants of postnatal care utilization. The AOR (Adjusted Odds Ratio) with their 95% CI and p-value ≤0.05 was used to declare that determinates associated with postnatal care utilization.

Result

The pooled magnitude of postnatal care utilization in sub-Saharan Africa countries was 52.48% [95% CI: 52.33, 52.63], with the highest postnatal care utilization in the Central Region of Africa (73.51%) and the low postnatal care utilization in Eastern Regions of Africa (31.71%). In the multilevel logistic regression model region, residence, age group, maternal education, maternal occupation, media exposure, ANC visit, place of delivery, and accessing health care were determinants of postnatal care utilization in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Conclusion

The coverage of postnatal care service utilization was low with high disparities among the region. Being in rural residence, young age group, low education level, had no occupation, not exposed to media, a big problem to access health care, not had ANC visit, and home delivery was associated with low postnatal care service utilization. This study evidenced that there is a wide gap in postnatal care utilization between SSA countries. Special attention is required to improve health accessibility, utilization, and quality of maternal health services to increase postnatal care service utilization in the region.

Prevalence and Associated Factors of Early Postnatal Care Service Use Among Mothers Who Had Given Birth Within the Last 12 Months in Adigrat Town, Tigray, Northern Ethiopia, 2018

BACKGROUND

The care given for the first hours, days, and weeks after childbirth is life-threatening. So far, this period receives less attention from health-care providers than the care given to pregnancy and delivery. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of early postnatal care service use among mothers who had given birth in the last 12 months in Adigrat Town, Tigray, Ethiopia.

METHODS

A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March to April 2018 among 481mothers who had given birth in the last 12 months. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select study participants. A pre-tested and structured questionnaire was used to collect the data. Data analysis was computed using SPSS version 20. An adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval and p-value less than 0.05 was used to determine the level of significance.

RESULTS

The proportion of early postnatal care service utilization was 34.3% (95% CI: 29.9%-38.5%). Mothers' use of early postnatal care service was predicted by previous early postnatal care use (AOR=2.60, 95% CI: 1.41-4.77), ANC visit (AOR=0.122, 95% CI:0.059-0.251), delivery complication (AOR=5.57, 95% CI: 2.85-10.89), distance (AOR =5.05, 95% CI: 2.45-10.42), postnatal home visit (AOR=0.21, 95% CI: 0.11-0.40), awareness on early postnatal care (AOR=16.38 95% CI: 6.23-43.07), age (AOR=9.34, 95% CI: 1.73-50.27), (AOR=6.50, 95% CI: 2.29-18.41), (AOR= 6.23, 95% CI: 2.38-16.33) and income (AOR=7.97 95% CI: 2.42-26.26, AOR=3.30 95% CI:1.42-7.67).

CONCLUSION

Our study's finding revealed that the prevalence of early postnatal care service use was low. Early postnatal care service use was significantly associated with previous early postnatal care use, delivery complication, distance, postnatal home visit, number of ANC visits, awareness on early postnatal care use, age, and income.

Predictors of Postnatal Care Service Utilization Among Women of Childbearing Age in The Gambia: Analysis of Multiple Indicators Cluster Survey

Background

Despite the importance of postnatal care (PNC) in maternal and newborn health, however, such services have been underutilized in many resource-constrained settings including The Gambia. The objective of this study was to determine the coverage and factors of PNC in The Gambia.

Methods

The 2018 data from The Gambia Multiple Indicators Cluster Survey (MICS) were analyzed. Data from 9205 women with ages 15–49 years, who also have given birth, were extracted for the analysis. Percentages and Chi-square tests were used. In addition, multivariable logistic regression model was used to calculate the adjusted odds ratios (with corresponding 95% CI). The level of significance was set at p< 0.05.

Results

The prevalence of PNC was 22.4% and 26.7% for women and children, respectively. Local government area (LGA) was associated with PNC for women and children alike. Furthermore, ethnicity was associated with PNC among women in The Gambia. Women who listened to radio almost every day had 1.51 increase in the odds of PNC (OR= 1.51; 95% CI: 1.15, 1.98) and 1.30 increase in the odds of PNC for children (OR= 1.30; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.67), respectively, when compared with women who do not listen to radio. Women who initiated antenatal care (ANC) at second or third trimester (late booking) had a 22% reduction in the odds of PNC (OR= 0.78; 95% CI: 0.64, 0.94), when compared with women who booked at first trimester.

Conclusion

The findings showed that geographical locations, ethnicity, use of radio, and timing to antenatal care initiation were associated with PNC. Women’s enlightenment and early ANC programs can be designed to improve PNC coverage.

Determinants of postnatal care non-utilization among women in Demba Gofa rural district, southern Ethiopia: a community-based unmatched case-control study

BACKGROUND

Maternal and neonatal mortality remain a significant problem across much of the developing world, especially in sub-Saharan Africa countries. In Ethiopia, most maternal and neonatal deaths occur during the postpartum period; this is a critical time for monitoring the health of women and newborns, but the most neglected period for care. In rural communities of Ethiopia, the utilization of postnatal care service is very low and evidence on which factors contribute to the non-utilization of postnatal care (PNC) is insufficient. Consequently, this study was designed to identify the determinants of postnatal service non-utilization among women who gave birth in Demba Gofa rural district, Southern Ethiopia.

METHODS

A community-based unmatched case-control study was conducted among 186 cases (postnatal care non-utilizers) and 186 controls (postnatal care utilizers) in Demba Gofa rural district from March 1 to April 10, 2019. A previously tested interviewer-administered structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed. In the final multivariable logistic regression analysis model, a p-value of less than 0.05 and an Adjusted Odd Ratio (AOR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to determine variables for postnatal care non-utilization.

RESULTS

In this study, women who delivered recently were incorporated within 186 cases and 186 controls. Not knowing the availability of PNC services (AOR: 4.33, 95% CI: 1.71-10.99), having a home delivery (AOR: 7.06, 95% CI: 3.71-13.44), ANC non-attendance (AOR: 6.14, 95% CI: 3.01-12.50), unable to make an independent decision (AOR: 9.31, 95% CI: 3.29-26.35), and not participating in the Women's Development Army (WDA) (AOR: 5.09, 95% CI: 2.73-9.53) comprised the determinants which were assessed for non-utilization of postnatal care services.

CONCLUSIONS

Encouraging institutional delivery along with integrated health education about postnatal care and postnatal danger signs, empowering women to execute independent decisions, accessing PNC services and strengthening participation in the Model Families will likely improve postnatal care service utilization in the district of Ethiopia.

Risk factors for women's non-utilization of decentralized primary health care facilities for postnatal care in rural western Ethiopia

Objective:

Evidence suggests postnatal care contributes to reductions in maternal mortality. In Ethiopia, the proportion of women who do not utilize postnatal care after birth is high and the frequency of postnatal checks falls short of the four visits recommended by World Health Organization. This study examined risk factors associated with non-utilization of decentralized local health facilities, namely, health posts, health centers, and a primary hospital, for postnatal care services in Gida Ayana Woreda in rural western Ethiopia.

Methods:

In this study, 454 mothers were examined for the following risk factors: kebele (the smallest administrative unit in Ethiopia) in which decentralized health care facilities were located, postnatal woman’s age, antenatal care service visit, experience of postnatal complications, knowledge of postnatal complications, knowledge of the recommended number of postnatal care visits, knowledge of the availability/provision of postnatal care, and health extension workers’ home visits. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were applied to identify predictors of non-utilization of decentralized local facilities for postnatal care services.

Results:

Over half (55.7%) of the women did not utilize postnatal care within 42 days of delivery, and only 10.0% utilized the care considered appropriate according to World Health Organization guidelines. After adjusting for various potential confounding factors, we found the following risks to be strongly associated with non-utilization of decentralized health care facilities for postnatal care services: some outer rural administrative decentralization entities such as Angar, Lalistu, and Ejere kebeles; age 35 years or older (adjusted odds ratio = 3.4, 95% confidence interval: 1.4–8.3), not receiving antenatal care during this pregnancy (adjusted odds ratio = 2.0, 95% confidence interval: 1.1–3.7), no experience of any postnatal complications (adjusted odds ratio = 3.3, 95% confidence interval: 1.7–6.4), and no knowledge of at least one postnatal complication (adjusted odds ratio = 2.0, 95% confidence interval: 1.2–3.3). Risk factors highly but less strongly associated with women’s non-utilization of postnatal care services were no knowledge of the standard number of postnatal care visits recommended, no knowledge about the availability/provision of services at a local health facility, and no home visit from health extension worker by day 3 post-delivery.

Conclusion:

The risk factors for women’s non-utilization of decentralized health care facilities for postnatal care identified in this study need to be considered in interventions for enhancing the utilization of the service and reducing maternal and newborn deaths in rural western Ethiopia. Strengthening of postnatal care services, especially in the more remote kebeles, should include upgrading of the referral system and expansion of counseling of women by health extension workers.