Knowledge, views and practices of mothers regarding postnatal care at Zomba Central Hospital, Malawi

Abstract

Background: Two thirds of all women who deliver in an urban hospital in Malawi do not return for postnatal care at 1 and 6 weeks after labour. Factors that influence their postnatal visit are not well established. Aim: This study investigates factors influencing the attendance at postnatal visits at 1 and 6 weeks among mothers at Zomba Central Hospital in Malawi. Specifically, the study assessed mothers' knowledge about postnatal care at 1 week and 6 weeks, and determined the characteristics of mothers who did or did not attend postnatal appointments on these dates. Method: A descriptive quantitative, cross-sectional study was conducted to assess mothers' knowledge. Data were collected using a structured interview. A convenient sample of 154 mothers participated in the study. Ethical approval was obtained from the Malawi College of Medicine Ethical Review Board. Data were analysed using SPSS. Findings: A sample of 154 mothers participated in the study who were all attendees at an under-fives clinic and had infants who were between 8 weeks and 12 months old. More than 75% of participants were aged between 20 and 30 years old. The main factor that hindered attendance was lack of advice given by midwives to return for postnatal care. Awareness of postnatal services, mothers' educational level and growth monitoring all promoted utilisation of postnatal care at 1 and 6 weeks. These findings have implications for training and practice: training institutions should emphasise the importance of postnatal care at 1 and 6 weeks; and, with reference to practice, supervisors of midwives should ensure that mothers are booked for postnatal care at 1 week and 6 weeks.