Factors influencing utilization of postnatal care Services among postnatal mothers who delivered from China-Uganda Friendship Hospital, Kampala District
Date
2021
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Bioline International
Abstract
Only 13% of women in Africa attend postnatal care
appointments. Despite the availability of postnatal care services at China Uganda Friendship Hospital Naguru (CUFHN), utilization of PNC services remains low.
Specifically, this study looked at the level of utilization of postnatal
care services, the individual and healthcare factors and modalities for
improving utilization of postnatal care services among postnatal mothers who
delivered from CUFHN.
Analytical cross sectional research design was used, with
quantitative methods of data collection. A sample of 381 respondents who were
postnatal mothers was used, selected by simple random sampling. Data was
collected using researcher administered questionnaires and analyzed using
SPSS version 25.
Utilization of postnatal care services was low at 14%. Socio-demographic factors that were significantly associated with utilization of PNC
services were; age (p=0.001), religion (p=0.024), marital status (p=0.048),
education (P=0.034). Significant individual factors included; work (p=0.001),
cultural norms (p=0.014), education about PNC (p=0.006), birth order (p=0.010),
having children (p=0.025), HIV testing (p=0.024), husbands’ involvement
(P=0.002), use of herbal medicine (p=0.004), financial constraints (p=0.001),
means of transport (p=0.001). Significant healthcare factors included; distance
(P=0.001), availability of maternity services (p=0.038), affordability of drugs at
local pharmacies (P=0.001), availability of drugs (p=0.042), diagnosis before
prescription and treatment (P=0.005), availability of health workers (p=0.033),privacy (p=0.039), waiting time (p=0.001) and enough seats and beds
(p=0.038).
There was low utilization of PNC services. This was mainly due
to maternal old age, high parity, and knowledge about PNC, among others.
Policy to enhance PNC service utilization needs to be enacted and revised
from time to time to enhance effective utilization
Description
Keywords
Postnatal care, Utilization, Mothers