Perspective, J Clin Exp Radiol Vol: 4 Issue: 6
Postnatal Care Service Utilization and Its Determinants in East Gojjam Zone, Northwest Ethiopia: A Mixed-Method Study
Nermeen El Beltagy *
*Corresponding Author:Nermeen El Beltagy
Alexandria University, Egypt
Abstract
Background: The days and weeks after childbirth are crucial for both the mother and her newborn child leading for the majority of maternal and perinatal mortalities. However, postnatal care utilization remains low worldwide. The World Health Organization recommends at least three postnatal visits within 42 days after birth. This study aimed to assess the barriers to postnatal care service utilization in East Gojjam Zone, Northwest Ethiopia. Methods: A community-based, mixed type cross-sectional study was conducted from December 15, 2018, to February 15, 2019. The quantitative data was gathered using the interviewer-administered interviewing technique from 751 women, selected by multistage sampling. The qualitative data were collected from purposively sampled women, facility leaders, and health extension workers using in-depth interviews and focused group discussions. The quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed using logistic regression and by the thematic content analysis method, respectively. Results: The study revealed that postnatal care service utilization was 34.6%. The odds of using PNC services were greater in women aged 25–34 years and used maternity waiting home.
Keywords: Logistic regression, Health extension workers
Biography
Dr. Nermeen El Beltagy MD, PhD, MS, MPH, Professional C is a Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Alexandria University, Egypt. She is a member of the International weight management in pregnancy (I-WIP collaborators of the European Union). She received her medical degrees from Egypt, but the PhD in environmental health, and MPH in epidemiology degrees were from Saint Louis University in the USA. She earned her Professional Certificate in women’s heath from Exeter University, UK. She participated in the Risk Communication Challenges workshop”, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, May 2003 and, attended “Evidence Based Public Health workshop”, CDC, March 2003.She received the award of the best poster for the 1st International Conference in Quality in Obstetrics, Lyon France, 2011. She authored and coauthored over 10 peer reviewed publications mainly on the subjects of Causes and recommendations of maternal mortality and morbidity in Egypt, preeclampsia, maternal obesity and contraception. She is an editor of the American journal of cancer prevention. She is involved in a number of research projects investigating the role of exercise in disease prevention (especially diabetes and obesity) and the assessment of the role of breakfast intake during pregnancy on the rate of post-partum obesity. Also, she participated in a research project of the lipid profile in obese women.
