Postnatal care uptake and associated factors among nursing mothers in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria

Globally, postnatal care is a strategic public health intervention to aid significant reduction in maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality especially in developing countries. This study aimed to assess the level of postnatal care (PNC) uptake and associated factors among nursing mothers for improved maternal and newborn outcomes in Benin City, Edo State. Two hundred and twenty (220) nursing mothers attending immunization clinics in University of Benin Teaching hospital, Benin City were studied using a descriptive cross-sectional study design. Data analysis was carried out using IBM SPSS version 21.0 statistical software after sorting and collating researcher administered questionnaire. Results were represented as prose, frequency tables and figures, univariate and bivariate analysis to assess postnatal care uptake and associated factors was carried out with level of significance set at P<0.050. Two hundred and five (93.2%) of the respondents studied registered and attended antenatal care (ANC) during pregnancy. One hundred and twenty-one (55.5%) of respondents studied had good knowledge of PNC, 190 (86.4%) had a positive attitude towards PNC, while 159 (72.3%) attended PNC. ANC registration (P<0.001), knowledge of PNC (P=0.002) and attitude towards PNC (P=0.013) were identified as significant factors influencing PNC among nursing mothers. Postnatal care uptake was high among study participants. ANC registration was a major determinant of postnatal care uptake in the study area, in addition to also significantly influencing knowledge of PNC and attitude towards PNC among nursing mothers studied. There is need to sustain and improve on the gains of postnatal care (PNC) uptake among nursing mothers in Benin City, by promoting sensitizations campaigns to promote ANC registration and attendance among pregnant women.