Knowledge on postnatal care among postpartum mothers during discharge in maternity hospitals in Asmara: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: The early postnatal period is a dangerous time for both mother and baby where morbidity and mortality are highly prevalent if proper care is not done. Post natal care (PNC) knowledge has significant role in reducing such complications. In this study, the knowledge of postpartum mothers on PNC and its determinants were determined. Methods: A cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted in postpartum mothers (PpM) who attended all maternal delivery services in Asmara. Data was collected by a structured questionnaire. All (n = 250) PpM who gave birth in December, 2017 were included in the study. Independent samples t-test and one way ANOVA were used to compare the scores in knowledge across categories of background characteristics using SPSS. Bonferroni post-hoc test was performed for variables that were found to be significant while using ANOVA tool. P-values less than 0.05 were considered as significant. Results: The percentage of PpM who cited vaginal bleeding, as a maternal danger sign, and fever, as a baby danger sign, were 83.2 and 58.8%, respectively. The majority (96%) of PpM responded the correct answer on where to go if they note any danger signs. In addition, more than nine tenth of PpM correctly identified injectable contraceptives (92.7%) and oral contraceptive (91.5%). The percentages of knowledge in recognizing the necessary nutrients ranged from 87.6% for carbohydrates to 46% for minerals. The percentages of correct knowledge regarding first baby bath, frequency of breast feeding, umbilical care, duration of exclusive breast feeding, need and purpose of vaccine were 40.1, 81.9, 77.4, 94.8, and 99.2% respectively. The mean PNC knowledge score was 24.89/60. The score of knowledge on postnatal care was found to significantly differ across the categories of residence (p < 0.001) and ethnicity (p = 0.015). An increasing trend of knowledge score was observed with increase in age group (p < 0.001), educational level (p = 0.021), gravida (p < 0.001) and para (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Considerable gaps in knowledge regarding postnatal care among postpartum mothers were evident. Special attention should be laid on rural residents, single/living together, junior/below in educational level, primigravida/para, non-Tigrigna ethnicity, and 17 to 25 years old mothers.

Postnatal newborn care practices and knowledge of newborn danger signs among mothers in rural area of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh

“…These observations is quite comparable of studies done in different part of India. [ 11 19 20 25 26 27 ] However, in a study done in Asmara, the percentage of mothers who mentioned that breastfeeding needs to be initiated within 1 hour was 88.4%. [ 28 ]…”

Effect of learning package on knowledge and practice regarding self care and child care among women undergoing caesarean section at bankurasammilani medical college and hospital, bankura,West Bengal

“…Calculated' value was (18.000, p<0.001) which proved that self-instructional module was effective in improving knowledge of mothers regarding self-care and baby care after caesarean section. 5 The present study is supported by a quasi-experimental study conducted by Ms. Sunita Chowdhury in Mathura on caesarean section mothers to identify the effect of structured teaching programme about knowledge of mothers on early ambulation and its impact on the recovery after caesarean section. She divided the samples into two groups those were experimental and control.…”

Factors Influencing Poor Postnatal Care in Sangihe Regency

“…The results of this study were also in line with previous research that discovered a correlation between the science possessed by postpartum mothers and postpartum care practices (Eldawati, 2015;Olajubu, et. al., 2019;Beraki, et. al., 2020).…”