Abstract:

Background: Tanzania is among countries with a high maternal and neonatal mortality rate. Every postpartum woman is at risk of developing postpartum related complication and her newborn. It is not understood if and how the information and education on danger signs of postpartum mothers and their newborns; translate into appropriate actions when a woman or her newborn experiences a danger sign. Knowledge and recognition of danger signs during postpartum period would result in timely emergency obstetric care.

Objectives: This study aimed at determining knowledge on neonatal and maternal danger signs during postpartum period and subsequent health seeking actions among women who experienced danger signs.

Methodology: This was a cross sectional study that enrolled 323 eligible postpartum women that delivered within the past nine months from Nkwenda health center, in Kyerwa district, Tanzania. The women will be interviewed using a semi structured Swahili questionnaire with closed and open ended questions. Systematic random sampling method was used to select the women to be interviewed. Descriptive and inferential analysis was done and associations between independent and dependent variables will be computed.

Results: This study showed that majority of women had sufficient knowledge on neonatal and maternal danger signs 31% and 35% respectively. Despite of the sufficient knowledge they had the health seeking action were highly appropriate.

Conclusion: Based on the findings of the study, it can be concluded that there is low level of knowledge on neonatal and maternal danger signs during postpartum period in rural areas. .Knowledge about danger signs during postpartum period has been found not to have a significant relationship to health seeking action.