Assessment of Factors Influencing Utilization of Postnatal Care in Gondar Town North West of Ethiopia
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Date
2008-07
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Addis Abeba Universty
Abstract
Introduction:-
The postnatal period starts an hour after the delivery of the placenta and includes the
following six weeks. The postnatal period covers a critical transitional time for a
woman, her newborn and her family on a physiological, emotional and social level.
More than two third of maternal and new born deaths occur during the postnatal period
and many of them develop disabilities The immediate cause of maternal deaths is the
absence, inadequacy or underutilization of the health care system.
In Ethiopia Maternal and Neonatal mortality still high and has received significant
attention from the government. Routine essential postnatal care can help to reduce
mortality and morbidity among mothers and their babies. Postnatal care program is one
of the weakest programs among all reproductive heath programs of the country, but
there is no sufficient research on how to improve the gap for low health service
postnatal care utilization.
The purpose of this study is to asses factors influencing utilization of health services
for postnatal care during the first six weeks.
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Methods: - A cross sectional study was conducted from date January to date February
2008. Study subjects were mothers who lived in Gondar urban town for two years and
above, and six weeks completed to one year after delivery who were identified by
house to house registration from randomly selected twelve centers in Gondar town.
Data were collected using structured questionnaire containing variable related to sociodemographic,
obstetric characteristics, perception of women about the risk of postnatal period, their
belief in having postnatal care and knowledge when to start postnatal care.
Result:-Out of five hundred sixty participants, 409(73%) health institution and 151
(27%) homes delivered 28.6%perceived the risk of postnatal period, 81.1% belief on
having postnatal care but 81.3% have knowledge on starting time after 45 days 0.5%
said immediately where others no need of postnatal care. Out of seventy three percent
health institution deliveries 88.3% mothers did not provide an appointment or
information to have health service postnatal care. 38.2% utilized health service during
post natal period .Main reason for initiation 28.5% maternal and 15% child health
problems, 4.2% due to having an appointment the rest 52.3% for vaccination.
Conclusion: - Health service postnatal care for mothers and babies was very weak in
health institution.
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Assessment of Factors Influencing Utilization