DETERMINANTS OF POSTNATAL CARE UTILIZATION AMONG POSTPARTUM WOMEN IN MBALE DISTRICT EASTERN UGANDA: A COMMUNITY-BASED CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

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dc.contributor.authorLunyolo Susan
dc.date.accessioned2026-09-06T18:56:31Z
dc.date.available2026-09-06T18:56:31Z
dc.date.issued2026-08
dc.description.abstractBackground to the study: Despite several international and local initiatives to promote postnatal care which is a very important component of maternal, newborn, and child health continuum of care, utilization is still less than 25%. Globally, a third of all maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality occurs in the first 24 hours after delivery. The determinants of utilization of postnatal care services vary according to the context. Because of low PNC utilization, the study assessed the level and determinants of postnatal care services use among postpartum women in Mbale district to advise policy and make suggestions to clinicians how to improve on PNC attendance. Methodology: This was a community based cross-sectional study in Bungokho south county in Mbale, Eastern, Uganda. Using multistage sampling technique, we consecutively enrolled 654 postpartum women between 11th August and 8th September 2025 using quantitative data collection methods. This was followed by two focus group discussions (FGDs) for midwives and VHTs and 14 in-depth interviews (IDIs) with postpartum women and their partners. A modified Poisson regression run in Stata Software Version 17 to determine factors associated with utilisation of PNC, at 0.05% level of significance. Similarly, the qualitative data ATLAS ti was used and content analysis technique was used. Results The prevalence of PNC utilization was 87.46%, the facilitators were caesarean mode of delivery, developing intrapartum complications and health facility delivery. The barriers included normal vaginal mode of delivery, lack of counselling and clear discharge instructions, lack of husband support, long distance to health facility, lack of transport and long waiting hours. Conclusion: Although postnatal care (PNC) utilization was above national average, gaps in quality, timing and completeness persist. Utilization was strongly facilitated by facility delivery, cesarean section, and complications, while hindered by financial, geographic, gender, and knowledge barriers. PNC uptake requires strengthened health systems, community education, and policies addressing gender and economic barriers, with particular focus on reaching women excluded before delivery. Above interventions need to be targeted in Mbale district to advance maternal and newborn health and contribute to achieving SDG 3.1.
dc.identifier.urihttps://bdears.busitema.ac.ug/handle/123456789/9344
dc.language.isoen
dc.titleDETERMINANTS OF POSTNATAL CARE UTILIZATION AMONG POSTPARTUM WOMEN IN MBALE DISTRICT EASTERN UGANDA: A COMMUNITY-BASED CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY
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