Determinants of Postnatal Care Attendance in Nsawam-Adoagyiri Municipal

Postnatal care is essential in maintaining the health and well-being of mothers and children. This study explored the determinants of postnatal care attendance in the Nsawam-Adoagyiri municipal in the Eastern region. The study was hinged on three main objectives which were: to assess the knowledge level of mothers regarding postnatal care; to assess the knowledge of mothers about postnatal care attendance and to find out factors that affect postnatal care attendance. A total of 300 mothers from five health facilities in the Nsawam- Adoagyiri municipality were purposively sampled and surveyed. The analysis centered on knowledge of mothers on postnatal care; knowledge of mothers concerning postnatal care for newborns and knowledge of danger signs as well as factors affecting postnatal care attendance. The study revealed that 89% of mothers have good knowledge of postnatal care. Using the chi-square test of independence, the study showed that age, education level, and marital status of mothers have no significant influence on the knowledge of postnatal care. The bivariate analysis results showed that 64.7% women have a good knowledge of postnatal care for newborns; 84.3% of mothers have good knowledge as mothers during postnatal care and 93.0% of the mothers have a good knowledge of responding to danger signs in newborns. The chi- square test on the knowledge of mothers regarding newborns showed significant influence of occupation on knowledge of newborn care. In addition, educational level had a significant influence on the knowledge of postnatal care as mothers. Using the probit regression, the study revealed factors such as income, occupation, marital, and educational status of respondents, national health insurance card and awareness of postnatal care as significant and had a positive influence on postnatal care attendance. However, distance to health facility was significant and had a negative influence on postnatal care attendance. The study therefore recommended that the NHIS should be well managed and financially resourced to ensure increased access and quality postnatal care; the need for continuous counselling of pregnant mothers by midwives in and out of health facilities to ensure increased utilisation of postnatal care during antenatal visits. Moreover, there should be increased efforts by the municipal health directorate at Nsawam-Adoagyiri to expand postnatal outreach programs to mothers who stay far away from health care centers.