Predictors of Postnatal Care Services Utilization Among Women in Nigeria: A Facility‐Based Study

Abstract

Purpose Adequate utilization of postnatal care (PNC) services is a major contributing factor to reducing maternal mortality among women. Hence, this study was designed to assess the level of utilization of PNC services and its predictors among postpartum women in Ekiti State, Nigeria. Design The study adopted a cross‐sectional descriptive design. Methods A total of 405 postpartum women from primary healthcare centers in five selected local government areas in Ekiti State participated in this study. A self‐structured questionnaire was used to collect data, which were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 20 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Data were presented using descriptive (means, frequencies, and percentages) and inferential (Pearson's chi square and binary logistic regression) statistics. Findings The mean age of the women was 27 ± 8 years. A preponderance of the respondents (98.8%) were aware of PNC services, of which only 22% utilized PNC services after their last delivery. Those who did not utilize PNC services identified some of the barriers to their utilization, which included poor attitude of the healthcare providers and insufficient financial resources. The rate of utilization was found to be significantly higher among those who were 25 to 34 years of age (p = .03), who had formal education (p = .04), who were employed (p = .01), who had made use of an antenatal care (ANC) clinic (p = .02), and who had a good level of knowledge about PNC (p = .02). Furthermore, a prior experience with PNC services reduced by almost 90% the odds of a mother's subsequent utilization after her last delivery (odds ratio 0.10; confidence interval 0.05–0.24). Conclusions The majority of respondents in this study were aware of PNC services, but this did not translate to utilization of the services. Also, the rate of utilization of PNC services was significantly associated with certain sociodemographic factors such as age, educational status, employment status, use of an ANC clinic, and level of knowledge about PNC. Clinical Relevance This study provides pertinent knowledge for healthcare providers, especially nurses, who provide PNC services.

Barriers to Utilization of Postnatal Care: A Qualitative Study in Guinea

“…Our study shows that lack of financial means is an important barrier in the realization of PNC. Studies confirmed that women living in wealthier households achieve more PNC than those living in poorer households [14] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20]. In Guinea, Demographic Health Survey showed that the percentage of women receiving timely postpartum care increased from 30% in the lowest quintile to 70% in the highest quintile [2].…”

Determinants of postnatal care non-utilization among women in Demba Gofa rural district, southern Ethiopia: a community-based unmatched case-control study

“…An interviewer-administered standardized structured questionnaire was developed and used after reviewing other similar studies [6,10,[29][30][31][32][33][34]. The questionnaire has consisted of a range of variables; sociodemographic and cultural, socio-economic, and knowledge, attitudes, and health system-related characteristics.…”

Regional Differences in Postnatal Care Service Utilisation and Child Morbidity in Nigeria: Evidence from 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS)

“…2 Despite the importance of providing quality health care services by skilled health care professionals during and immediately after childbirth to mothers and infants, the postnatal periods are usually neglected by most mothers due to sociocultural factors associated with new-borns. [3][4][5] Meanwhile, studies have shown that mothers who attend health facilities during postnatal periods where skilled health professionals can identify, observe and manage any health challenge that may arise in the lives of the mothers and their newborn babies [6][7] stand a chance of preventing the occurrence of body and mental damage, 8 as well as child morbidity and mortality than those who did not. 9 Although there has been incredible progress in the global under-five mortality rate which had reduced from 93 deaths (in 1990) and 76 deaths (in 2000) to 39 deaths per 1,000 live births in 201810, the reduction in this rate is uneven across regions and income levels in the world.…”