Poor use of postnatal care service at health facilities in rural Southern Benin: What factors should we target?

Abstract

Postnatal consultation helps to early detect maternal and newborn pathologies in postpartum. In low-middle income countries, such as Benin, postnatal consultation rates are quite low. This is even more alarming in rural areas. This study aims to search factors associated with postnatal care visit. A cross-sectional study, conducted in Sèmè-kpodji, southern Benin, included 339 women who have delivered between January 2015 and January 2016. Sociodemographic information and data concerning women gynecological status and health center services management have been analyzed by logistic regression. Postnatal care visit rate was 12.68%. Primiparous mothers (OR=2.57 [1.15-3.02]), communication session of change of behavior (OR=1.98 [1.62-3.14]), secondary level of education (OR=1.23 [1.07-2.11]) and good quality of reception at health center (OR=1.75 [1.25-3.45]) were significant determinants of postnatal care visit. We lightened the benefit effect of communication session during antepartum. These strategies need to be strengthened by targeting older women. It is also necessary to increase the level of education of women. Keywords: Postpartum care visit, Maternal and child risk, Communication session, Level of education, Quality of health service management.