| dc.description.abstract | Postnatal care (PNC) is vital for the life of both mother and child as it reduces both marternal
and infant morbidities and mortalities. However, in Kenya, PNC utilization is low (48%) but
the cause is not known. Post-natal care –health seeking behavior among women oreproductive
age in homa bay town. A total of 377 mothers having children aged 6-8 weeks old participated
in the study in which a community based cross sectional study using quantitative
complemented by qualitative methods of data collection was employed. Quantitative data
collection involved structured questionnaires administered to mothers proportionately and
systematically randomly sampled. Qualitative data was collected through Key informant
interview guide from 10 purposively selected health care providers and 11 lead community
volunteers (CHVs). The SPSS version 17.0 and Chi square, Logistic regression and odds ratio
were used for quantitative data analysis while thematic approach was used to analyse
qualitative data to complement the findings. Majority, 80% understood PNC and utilized such
services within 6-8 weeks. About 81% of mother received information from skilled health
workers. Majority,80% of women received immunization and was significant (χ² =12.635,
p=0.027) to Utilization of PNC. Close 64% of women attended PNC services between two and
three times. 67% mothers mentioned haemorrhage as the likely risk after delivery. Main
attitude-related reason for low utilization of PNC service was lack of awareness (50.5%) of
PNC, experience, expectation and perception that was significant (χ² =11.688, p=0.039) to
access to PNC services. Majority who accessed PNC services expected physical examination
(49.1%) and immunization of their babies (44.5%) and said the quality was good. On health
seeking behaviours, 84% delivered in a health facility and 10.8% delivered home and was
significant (χ² =11.354, p=0.003) to utilization of PNC. 89% accessed some form of PNC
service was significant (χ² =21.515, p=0.000). There was a gap between knowing and
understanding PNC as majority of the respondents had knowledge of PNC but attended twice
and late between 4 and 6 weeks for purposes of immunization and sickness (hemorrhage). The
study also revealed that positive attitude regarding reception by health providers, quality of
service, expectation, experience and perception of PNC services increased utilization of PNC
services. However, Mothers mostly sought PNC services whenever there was need of
immunization or sickness hence showed a gap between knowledge and PNC health seeking
behaviour. There was need to address the gap between knowledge and understanding,
knowledge and health seeking behavior that are linked to utilization of PNC by the respondents
as informed by the health care providers that are key informants. | en_US |
