Obstetric factors associated with the uptake of Postnatal Care among mothers who gave birth in the last six months in Dodoma Region, Tanzania

Abstract

Background:     The World Health Organization defines postnatal care when it is given to the mother and her newborn baby immediately after the birth of the placenta and for the first six weeks of life. The majority of maternal and neonatal deaths occur during childbirth and the postpartum period which can be prevented through adequate utilization of antenatal and postnatal care services.

Objective:  To assess obstetric factors associated with the uptake of postnatal care services among mothers who gave birth in the last six months in Dodoma region, Tanzania

Method: This community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 420 study participants from January to March 2021. Logistic regression analysis was carried out to measure obstetric factors associated with the uptake of postnatal care. An adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval and p-value less than 0.05 was applied.

Results: The uptake of the recommended four postnatal care visits was 136 (32%). Mothers who received counselling during ANC were almost 4 times more likely to utilize adequate PNC services than their counterparts (AOR=3.737; 95%CI =1.176-31.882; P=0.025). Those who delivered by C/Section were almost 12 times more likely to utilize PNC services adequately (AOR=11.913; 95%CI =3.0901- 45.933; P=0.000). Awareness of the PNC schedule was 18 times more likely to use the PNC services adequately compared with their counterparts (AOR=18.092; 95%CI =8.239- 39.726; P=0.000). Awareness of maternal danger signs was almost 5 times more likely to utilize PNC service adequately than their counterparts (AOR=4.691; 95%CI =2.168- 10.153; P=0.000).

Conclusion: The overall uptake of adequate postnatal care in the study area was low.  Obstetric factors were found as strong predictors of adequate PNC service uptake among study participants. There is a need to strengthen routine health education during the antenatal and postpartum periods to enhance adequate PNC services uptake among women.