Postnatal care knowledge, attitudes and practices: Evidence from mothers
Abstract
Introduction: According to the literature that has been examined thus far, the majority of factors that lead to new-born and maternal death can be reduced by providing postnatal care. Critical interventions that can put an end to avoidable maternal and new-born fatalities can be given during the first few days after delivery. Postnatal care is essential for the health and survival of both mother and child because this is still the most vulnerable time for both. We therefore set out to investigate the levels of postnatal care knowledge, attitudes and practices among primiparous mothers at Women and New-born hospitals, at University Teaching Hospitals. Materials and Methods: a quantitative cross sectional study approach was used at a national 3rd level hospital. Quantitative data from primiparous postnatal mothers still hospitalized and from outpatient reviews within 6 days of birth were collected using a convenience sampling method; non-probability sampling. A total of 150 primiparous mothers meeting the inclusion criteria were included based on the hospital statistics for primigravida deliveries. Results: under two-thirds (62.7%) of participants had poor knowledge on postnatal care compared to fewer who had adequate knowledge (37.3%). Majority who demonstrated poor knowledge were likely 19 years and below (82.05%) compared to those 20 years and above (55.86%). On attitudes, participants recognized that postnatal care was both important (n = 138, 92.0%) and necessary (n = 137, 91.3%). About practices majority of the study participants did not receive postnatal care from a professional (n = 107; 72.3%) nor did they practice traditional teachings on postnatal care (n = 100, 84.75%). When compared to those who had inadequate awareness of postnatal care, the number of antenatal care visits was higher for those with appropriate knowledge (Mean difference = -1.44; 95% CI: -2.30 to -0.58. Conclusion: Understanding postnatal care is crucial for maternal and new-born outcomes, especially for the younger and more vulnerable mothers. Creating of postnatal care awareness is likely to increase knowledge in this sensitive group with high likelihood of enhancing positive attitudes and practices of the same. Key words: Postnatal care, Primiparous, Postnatal period, Neonatal period.All authors who submit their paper for publication will abide by following provisions of the copyright transfer: 1. The copyright of the paper rests with the authors. And they are transferring the copyright to publish the article and used the article for indexing and storing for public use with due reference to published matter in the name of concerned authors. 2. The authors reserve all proprietary rights such as patent rights and the right to use all or part of the article in future works of their own such as lectures, press releases, and reviews of textbooks. 3. In the case of republication of the whole, part, or parts thereof, in periodicals or reprint publications by a third party, written permission must be obtained from the Managing Editor of JPRM. 4. The authors declare that the material being presented by them in this paper is their original work, and does not contain or include material taken from other copyrighted sources. Wherever such material has been included, it has been clearly indented or/and identified by quotation marks and due and proper acknowledgements given by citing the source at appropriate places. 5. The paper, the final version of which they submit, is not substantially the same as any that they had already published elsewhere. 6. They declare that they have not sent the paper or any paper substantially the same as the submitted one, for publication anywhere else. 7. Furthermore, the author may only post his/her version provided acknowledgement is given to the original source of publication in this journal and a link is inserted wherever published. 8. All contents, Parts, written matters, publications are under copyright act taken by JPRM. 9. Published articles will be available for use by scholars and researchers. 10. IJPRM is not responsible in any type of claim on publication in our Journal. .