Evaluation of utilization of postnatal care services among women of Urban Slums in Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh, India

Abstract

Background: Ensuring appropriate postnatal care (PNC) is critical to safeguard maternal and newborn health. The timing of PNC is also crucial to the well-being of the mother and baby. PNC coverage is in a decreasing trend in comparison to other maternal and infant health services. Although there is provision of PNC services, women are not utilizing them effectively. Objectives: (1) To estimate the utilization rate of PNC services among postnatal women (PNW) in urban slums of Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh. (2) To analyze the factors influencing the utilization of PNC services among PNW. Materials and Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study among 205 PNW in urban slums of Rajahmundry. Results: The utilization rate of PNC package was 82%. About 71% of the women were in the age group of 21–25 years, 46% were Hindus, 66% had completed high school, and 59% belonged to lower class of socioeconomic status (SES). The utilization rates of PNC services were significantly higher among primi mothers (82%), literates (99%), among women from lower socioeconomic class, and among PNW who resided in joint families. Conclusion: The utilization of PNC services was very good, which was influenced by the level of literacy, SES, and parity of the women. Policy makers must emphasize health teaching about postpartum care into the health system at every level of care including primary, secondary, and tertiary involving health personnel at every level, in order to reach complete utilization of PNC services.