Publications

This study evaluated factors that hinder participation in early postpartum care (days 2-6)of mothers attending MCH at Lira Regional Referral Hospital. A quantitative cross-sectionalstudy design including 104 mothers attending postpartum care 6 weeks after giving birthand recruited through a consecutive sampling technique was used. Data were collectedusing a structured and closed-ended questionnaire. Data were coded and analyzed usingSPSS version 26.0 with EPNC as dependent in bivariate analysis. Informed consent wasobtained before study enrollment. The majority of participants were young mothersbetween 15 and 24 years old 53 (51%), Christian 91 (87.5%), married 90 (86.5%), hadattained the highest level of education 67 (64.4%) and living in rural areas 71 (68.3%).Themajority of mothers were farmers/housewives 68 (65.4%) received antenatal care at least4 times but less than 8 times 76 (73.1%) and gave birth in hospital 91 (87.5%). 20 mothers(19.2%) had cultural beliefs about postpartum care, such as checking and removingdentures 16 (80%) and plant-based feeding 2 (10%) before PNC. The majority of mothers,54 (59.3%), were discharged less than 24 hours after giving birth and 81 (77.9%) reportednot having received health education about PNC. Factors hindering PENC among studyparticipants at the multivariate level included place of birth (aOR 0.048), distance fromhealth facility (aOR 0.133), attendance at antenatal care (aOR 0.023), and receivingprenatal care (aOR 0.023). EPNC nursing staff reported (aOR 0.019) with a P - value <0.05.In summary, the study found that place of birth, distance to health facility, prenatal careattendance rate <4 times and lack of information from health care providers about EPNChas hindered early postpartum care.