The Importance Of Postnatal Care

Postnatal care is an ideal time to provide intervention for both the mother and infant to be survived. Both the infants and mothers are at risk of different medical complications. To achieve the GTP II strategies the services are integrated each other and advanced as practical and feasible manner (3). About 36% of children under 5 year children death is accounted by neonatal death (9).

Every year four millions infants died in the first one month of delivery of those 75% of them died within the first weeks. From death in the first week of delivery again two-third of them died within the first 24hours (10). Similarly, around 67% of all maternal deaths occur in the postnatal period. Almost all of deaths occurred in developing countries. The death

Again of those mothers about 87% didn’t get any postnatal care. Attitude of health care provider who provided during preconception counseling, ANC and/or labor delivery highly affecting seeking of postnatal care services (12).About 56% of mothers whether delivered at home or at health institution, didn’t want to have postnatal care. Mothers were not seeking post natal care service provision when they gave birth at home and if their educational status is less than high school(13).Mothers those got maternity services before and during delivery more seek post natal care

But still unacceptable death and disabilities continue. Although utilization of postnatal care within a week after delivery plays a crucial role to success of the GTP II by having healthy mother and new born, it was neglected across the country (15).

In Abi-Adi town, utilization of any postnatal care was 11.9%. About 82% of mothers didn’t think as postnatal care is benefits both for them and their children (16).

Lack of awareness, Marital status, using continuum maternity care like ANC follow up and delivery at heath facilities, place of residence (distance), culture, number of children were major factors affecting utilization of post natal care services. About 52.19% mothers got any postnatal care services through health extension workers and community health agents. Most of the time after delivered, mothers come to health institution if they faced some problems and they want motivation to be served (17).

So that, enhancing the service of ANC, delivery at health facilities, developing the strategies how can provide postnatal care at their home and upgrading mothers’ knowledge and accessibilities of services by developing community-based packages for the mothers those live in rural, poor, and less educated mothers possibly increase utilization of post natal care services