Factors Contributing to Low Utilisation of Postnatal Care Services among Postnatal Mothers at Rwekubo HC4 Isingiro District

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to explore the factors contributing to the low utilization of PNC services among postnatal mothers at Rwekubo HC IV Isingiro district. The study was a cross-sectional design that employed a quantitative method purposive sampling technique was used to collect data, and a total of 40 post-natal mothers successfully participated in the study. Data was presented in the form of frequency tables, bar graphs, and pie charts. The findings show that the majority 30% of the mothers were aged between 25-29years, about half 40% of them had a parity of 2-3 with 50% staying 6-10km away from the health facility leading 4(40%) who fail to attend PNC services because of the long waiting time at the postnatal clinic. Most mothers had ever heard of PNC services from health workers, with 75% utilizing postnatal care services at least once within the postnatal period and 24(63.2%) knew children get immunization services at the postnatal clinic. In addition, (98%) had ever heard of postnatal care services (92.5%) knew at least one postpartum danger sign, 22(24.7%) mentioned severe bleeding as a postnatal danger sign while 22(88.5%) of the mothers delivered from the health facility. In conclusion, the majority of the mothers had knowledge about postnatal services but still faced the problem of distance to the health center and health workers taking long to attend to the mothers, Programs targeting reinforcement of Maternal and Child Health should emphasise the need for mothers to be having hospital delivery should be addressed.