Abstract:

Background: The early postnatal period is a dangerous time for both mother and baby where morbidity and mortality are highly prevalent if proper care is not done. Post-natal care (PNC) knowledge has significant role in reducing such complications. Globally 4 million newborns die every year before they reach the age of one month and approximately 3.4 million newborns die within the first week of life. Of these deaths, 66% occur during the 1st 24 hours. Late death, i.e., after 24 hours, still occurs by 34% and may be prevented if mothers have knowledge about newborn care including dangers sign of newborn

Methodology: This was a cross sectional study with quantitative approach conducted from february to may 2023. A simple random sampling was used to collect information from mothers who have gave birth at Designate seketoured regional Hospital. The recruitment and collection of information was done on the discharge day. A total of 385 participants were enrolled. Data was collected with self-administered questionnaires and analyzed using IBM SPSS Software. Data analysis describes all study variables using proportions, frequencies and percentages.

Results: Among them (87.5%) knew the danger signs. Almost all (97.4%) of the respondents responded correctly on where to go if they note any danger signs. The minimum time for starting sexual intercourse was correctly responded by 214 (55.6%). The percentages of women who responded delay in menstrual period as a result of giving exclusive breast feeding for 3 months, 6 months, 1 year and 2 years were 46, 42.1, 7.3 and 4.4 respectively. Only 35.8% use contraception while 64.2% don’t use. In response to those who use contraceptives (21.7%) use Hormonal or pills, (15.2%) use condoms, (11.6%) use calendar method while (51.4%) use injectable. Among all the interviewed postpartum mothers (94.3%) knows the baby danger signs. Knowledge on keeping the baby warm by wrapping the baby with cloth was almost universal (85.2%). Correct response on the time at which first bath can be given for a new born baby was obtained from 345(89.6%) of the study participants. More than three fourths (69.9%) of the women responded umbilical care should be simply keeping clean and dry. Most of the respondents (90.6%) mentioned the correct answer on initiation of breast feeding after delivery which is within 30 min. (64.9%) of the women correctly responded to the frequency need of breast feeding per day (eight per day);. The majority (86.2%) of respondents correctly answered that duration of breast feeding needs to be for 2 years. Almost all respondents (89.1%) correctly knew the needs of vaccine for a newborn baby. With regards to the purpose of vaccine, most of the respondents (94.8%) mentioned ‘to prevent disease’.

Conclusion: The average knowledge score on post-natal care of the postpartum mothers was excellent for it was greater than 68% for the women that answered correct the questions provided. Therefore, special attention should be given to mothers living in rural areas, junior or below in educational level, single or living together, prim gravida and those between 17 to 25 years of age to improve postnatal care knowledge.
Moreover the average altitude score on postnatal care of the postpartum mothers was favorable since 79% of the interviewed mothers had good altitude and also answered to questions well on the altitude part