Abstract:

Background: Post-partum family planning (PPFP) refers to the initiation of family planning methods in the first six weeks following delivery. This is of particularly importance to avoid unintended pregnancies babies. Worldwide, postpartum women are experiencing the highest unmet need for family planning as they do not receive the services they need to space their births and reduce unintended pregnancy and its adverse effects. Despite of monumental gains in provision of RMCAH services, training and family planning commodities distribution, persistent system, the quality-of-care gaps continues to prevent many postpartum women from receiving effective PPFP.

Objective: The main objective of the study was to explore the existing barriers in accessing and use of postpartum family planning services (PDFP) among first time mothers with infants (1-9 Months) enrolled at postnatal clinic in Sengerema Designated District Hospital.

Methodology: The cross-sectional study using both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection were used involving a total of 125 participants. Qualitative data was obtained by using face to face FGD involved 4 groups comprised 8-10 participants, also 5 in depth interviews involving HCW and 5 in depth interview involving CHW. Quantitative data was involved 80 in depth interview involved first time mothers by using the structured questionnaires. SPSS version 20 was used for analysis.

Results: The study showed that only 35% of mothers were using family planning method and other 65% were not using any methods due to several factors hindering them whereby in 65% of mothers who do not use any method about 30.8% of them are due lack of enough knowledge about the family planning services, and 25.0% are due to some cultural and traditional beliefs.

Conclusion: The study found the low of knowledge and low level of practice due to some barriers when it comes to the PPFP so the study recommends to use of health education, empowering all health facility to provide health care services aiming to improve the knowledge and practice on PPFP services and ultimately maternal and child health.