Level of knowledge on postnatal care and its associated factors in Ndola, Zambia

Abstract

Postnatal care (PNC) is considered as the most important maternal and child health service offered for a period of six weeks from the time of delivery. Inability to promote health behaviours affecting mothers and newborn children, illnesses, disabilities and death occur due to lack of PNC. Hence, the study was conducted to determine the level of knowledge on PNC and its associated factors. In early 2015, a cross sectional study was conducted at an urban health facility run by the district health office providing mother and child health care services in Ndola, Copperbelt province, Zambia. A total of 268 women attend postnatal care clinic were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. The chi-square test and fisher’s test were used to determine association and multivariate logistic regression was used to determine independent factors for knowledge on PNC. Among the respondents, 18.7% had knowledge on postnatal care. Respondents who had attained up to primary level of education 87% (OR=0.13; 95% [0.02- 0.97]) were less likely to have knowledge on postnatal care. Level of knowledge on postnatal care was low among the respondents. Change towards Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials such as pictorial presentations should be used, while conducting postnatal clinics in order to improve women’s level of knowledge.