Knowledge of Postbirth Warning Signs and Postpartum Education Among Women in Ghana

Abstract

ObjectiveTo assess the relationship between postpartum education and knowledge of postbirth warning signs among women in Ghana. DesignCross-sectional survey. SettingTamale West Hospital in Tamale Metropolitan Area, Ghana. ParticipantsWomen (N = 151) who gave birth to healthy newborns and were admitted to the postnatal ward. MethodsWe collected data from surveys distributed in the hospital. The survey included items for sociodemographic characteristics, obstetric history, postpartum education provided, and knowledge of nine common postbirth warning signs. We used descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression models to analyze the data. ResultsParticipants reported knowing an average of 5.2 of 9 (SD = 2.84) postbirth warning signs. Severe bleeding (94.70%, n = 143), fever (82.12%, n = 124), and severe headache (72.19%, n = 109) were the postbirth warning signs most frequently identified by participants. Swelling in the leg (37.09%, n = 56) and thoughts of hurting oneself (33.11%, n = 50) were the postbirth warning signs least frequently identified by participants. Knowledge about postbirth warning signs was positively associated with reports of receiving educational handouts on the postnatal ward (adjusted OR = 4.64, 95% confidence interval [1.27, 17.04]) and reports that four or more postpartum complications were taught before hospital discharge (adjusted OR = 27.97, 95% confidence interval [7.55, 103.57]) compared to zero to three postpartum complications. ConclusionAll women need comprehensive discharge education on the warning signs of complications after birth. Promoting knowledge of postbirth warning signs can decrease delays in seeking care and contribute to the reduction of maternal mortality in Ghana.