Early Postnatal Care Attendance among Postnatal Women in Ubungo Municipal Council, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: a qualitative study

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Abstract Adequate utilization of postnatal care services is associated with improved maternal and neonatal health outcomes.The World Health Organization recommends postnatal women to attend postnatal care as early as seven days after delivery because most maternal deaths occur within 7 days of the postnatal period. However, many postnatal women who deliver in health facilities attend postnatal care very late during 42 days for child immunization. Little information is known as to why postnatal women who deliver in health facilities delay initiating postnatal care clinics for seven days post-delivery. This study aimed at exploring reasons as to why women who deliver in health facilities delay attending early postnatal care services. Methods A cross-sectional design using a qualitative approach was used to explore factors associated with early postnatal care attendance among postnatal women in Ubungo Municipal, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Study participants were purposively selected. In-depth interviews were used to collect data. Audio recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim and translated into English. Thematic analysis approach was used to excerpt reasons for the delay in seeking early postnatal care services in Ubungo Municipality. Findings The finding of this study revealed lack of awareness on the appropriate time to start early postnatal care visits and the recommended number of postnatal visits, perception of postnatal women that the postnatal period is a normal condition that does not require health personnel’s attention,thus the perception that no need to initiate early postnatal care clinics (PNC) if they were not sick. Similarly, long waiting time,transport costs, and health care providers’ attitudes were major reasons reported by postnatal women to contribute to late postnatal care attendance. Therefore, health care providers should continue providing education to pregnant women and postnatal women on when to attend and the importance of attending early postnatal care.

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