UTILISATION OF POSTNATAL SERVICES: A DESCRIPTIVE CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY CONDUCTED AMONG MOTHERS AT DR. RONALD BATTA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL.

Abstract

Background

Utilization of Post Natal Care (PNC) services has been associated with huge benefits to both the mother and the baby. This care which is given from immediately after birth up to six weeks after delivery is a recommended package in the continuum of maternal care aimed at reducing maternal and neonatal mortality. Timely PNC enables health workers to detect, follow, and quickly manage complications of both the mother and newborn. Despite the benefits, there’s still underutilization of the services in some health facilities in low-income countries. Therefore, the study aimed at assessing factors that were influencing utilization of post-natal care services among mothers at Dr. Ronald Batta Memorial Hospital, Wakiso district.

 Methodology

This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted among 36 post-natal mothers, who were selected using simple random sampling at DR. Ronald Batta Memorial Hospital. Self-administered questionnaires were used for data collection and data was analyzed using Microsoft Excel 2021.

 Results

Utilization of PNC was 69.4 % (25/36). Those who did not utilize the PNC did not know its benefits 7(63.6%), rural residents 7(63.6%) and long waiting hours 10(90.9%) were among the factors that influenced the utilization of postnatal services. The study established that the lack of awareness, rural residence, long waiting hours, and non-friendly health workers influenced the utilization of post-Natal services.

 Conclusions

The study established that the Poor attitude towards the utilization of PNC services, age, non-supportive Cultures towards utilization of PNC services, rural residence, long waiting hours, and unfriendly Health workers influenced the utilization of PNC among mothers.

 Recommendations

MoH should support health facilities to increase awareness about the benefits of attending PNC clinics. Health facilities should provide follow-up services and training to increase awareness. More funds should be allocated to PNC services awareness programs. Health workers can also start providing door-to-door PNC services.