Factors Influencing Postnatal Care Services Utilization in a Tertiary Care Hospital of Dhaka

Abstract

Background: Post natal care (PNC) is very crucial as most of the maternal and infant mortality occur during this period. At least 4 PNC should be received, and it is most ignored in developing countries. Aims: The study aimed to assess the factors associated with post-natal care utilization among mothers. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conveyed from September 2022 to January 2023 among 296 purposively included mothers having at least one living child aged below one year at paediatric outpatient department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Dhaka. After taking informed written consent data were collected by face-to-face interview by using a pretested semi-structured questionnaire. Data were analysed using the SPSS software version 25. Results: Mean ± (SD) age of the women were 27.1 ± (6.198) years. Among them 87 (44.4%) were within 18-25 years age; 51.5% studied up to SSC/equivalent level and 179.6% were housewives (p<0.05). Mean ± (SD) number of PNC was 2.69± (1.814).  Among women who took ANC; 179 (67.3%) used PNC service. Maximum women took minimum number of ANC, but 63.5% utilized PNC (p<0.05). Most of the women were aware about danger signs of postnatal period but 39 (21.3%) did not receive PNC (p<0.01). Conclusion: Women’s age, education and occupation were significantly associated with utilization of PNC. Though most women were informed about complications; a significant proportion did not receive PNC.