Abstract
Background: Mothers and their newborns are vulnerable to threats to their health and survival during the postnatal period. Full postnatal care (PNC) uptake decreases maternal deaths and is also essential for first 1,000 days of newborn's life, but PNC usage is usually inadequate in rural areas. Little is known about the full PNC utilization among rural Myanmar women. This study, therefore, aimed to study the situation of the utilization of full PNC and examine its determinants. Methods: This community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in selected villages of the Magway Region, Myanmar. A total of 500 married women who had children aged under 2 years were selected using multistage cluster sampling and interviewed with semi-structured questionnaires. The determinants of full PNC usage were identified by generalized estimating equation (GEE) under a logistic regression framework. Results: Among 500 rural women, around a quarter (25.20%; 95% confidence interval (CI), 21.58-29.21%) utilized full PNC. Multivariable analysis revealed that factors associated with full PNC usage included mothers attaining educational level of secondary or higher (adjusted odds ratio (AOR), 2.16; 95% CI, 1.18-3.94), belonging to higher income level (AOR, 2.02; 95% CI, 1.11-3.68), having male involvement (AOR, 2.19; 95% CI, 1.02-4.69), being of low birth order (i.e. the first birth) (AOR, 3.26; 95% CI, 1.80-5.91), and having awareness of postnatal danger signs (AOR, 2.10; 95% CI, 1.15-3.83). Moreover, the presence of misconceptions on postnatal practice was identified as a strong barrier to adequate PNC usage (AOR, 0.12; 95% CI, 0.04-0.36). Conclusion: Most of the rural women practiced inadequate PNC in Myanmar. Maternal healthcare services at rural areas should be intensively promoted, particularly among women who had high birth order (greater number of births). Health education regarding perinatal misconceptions and danger signs, and benefits of full PNC services usage should be emphasized and urgently extended.
Highlights
In Myanmar, eliminating preventable maternal mortality remains one of the critical challenges to the health system, despite the fact that maternal and child health care has been prioritized
Over three-quarters (77.4%) of maternal deaths in Myanmar occurred in women who resided in rural areas[2]
This study aims to explore the magnitude of rural women who received full postnatal care (PNC) in addition to push and pull factors for full PNC utilization in Myanmar
Summary
In Myanmar, eliminating preventable maternal mortality remains one of the critical challenges to the health system, despite the fact that maternal and child health care has been prioritized. Over three-quarters (77.4%) of maternal deaths in Myanmar occurred in women who resided in rural areas[2]. Even though rural women are likely to have higher birth rates, most of them have greater reluctance in seeking, reaching and receiving care from skilled providers[3]. Mothers and their newborns are vulnerable to threats to their health and survival during the postnatal period. Full postnatal care (PNC) uptake decreases maternal deaths and is essential for first 1,000 days of newborn’s life, but PNC usage is usually inadequate in rural areas. The presence of misconceptions on postnatal practice was identified as a strong
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