Home based postpartum care and determinants in Ethiopia: A multilevel analysis

Abstract

Introduction Neonatal mortality remains a persisting public health challenge in Ethiopia. Timely intervention to neonatal morbidity and early neonatal care visit could reduce the burden of mortality. Studies related to home based postnatal care is limited in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess home based postnatal care visits and determinants in Ethiopia. Methods A secondary data analysis using 2016 EDHS data was conducted among 7590 women who had live births two years preceding the survey. A multilevel mixed-effect logistic regression analysis model was used and those variables with a P-value ≤ of 0.05 in multivariable analysis were considered as predictors. Results: Home based postpartum care by health care providers was 6.3% and 67.9% of women gave birth at home. Women perceived that distance is not big problem [AOR = 1.37; 95% CI: 1.06, 1.68], richer wealth index [AOR = 1.69; 95% CI: 1.15, 2.48], attending antenatal care visit [AOR = 2.17; 95% CI:1.57, 2.99], giving birth in health institution [AOR = 2.07; 95% CI:1.53, 2.80], giving birth by cesarean section [AOR = 3.41; 95% CI: 2.33, 4.99], and having awareness about neonatal danger sign [AOR = 3.68; 95% CI: 2.90,4.70] were factors associated with home based postpartum care. Conclusion Home based care by health care providers was low. Therefore, measures should be taken in increasing the number of nearby health care facility, strengthen the continuum of care on antenatal care follow-up, institutional delivery and improve mother’s knowledge about neonatal danger sign.

Key factors associated with quality of postnatal care: a pooled analysis of 23 countries

“…Compared with those from wealthier households, women from poorer households often have more limited health knowledge and less access to essential health services, including PNC. 23 , 28 , 29 In addition, attendance of four or more ANC visits was found to be strongly associated with higher quality of maternal and neonatal PNC, as there is an increased opportunity for mothers to become more informed about potential complications and receive greater encouragement to seek high-quality PNC. 30 Moreover, our study found that advanced maternal age was associated with quality PNC, which was consistent with the findings of studies conducted in Nepal and Uganda.…”

“…While it is unsurprising that institutional delivery was found to play an important role in quality neonatal PNC, its diminishing effect may be explained by the fact that health facilities often do provide SBA services. 23 , 24 …”