Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: Postnatal period is a vulnerable time, because most maternal and new born deaths occur during this period, especially immediately after childbirth. Postnatal care in the first hours and days after childbirth could prevent the great majority of these deaths. Aims & Objectives: Present study was conducted with the objective to assess the utilization of post natal care and associated factors in tribal area of Madhya Pradesh.
Materials and Methods: A community based cross-sectional study carried in tribal area of Madhya Pradesh. A total of 210 mothers who delivered in last one year were selected for study by “30 cluster sampling method” in Nainpur block of Mandla district.
Results: Among 210 mothers, 82.4% were 15-24 years of age and 71.9% of mother received post natal check-up within 10 days of delivery. Regarding number of post-natal check-up, 36.6% of mothers received one postnatal check-up, 18.5% two, 14.7% three and only 1.9% received four post natal check-up. The education/occupation of mothers, cast, education of husband, place of delivery, person conducting delivery and level of knowledge of mother about need of postnatal check-up were significantly associated (P<0.001) with utilization of post natal check-up. Conclusion: The present study revealed that role of education, especially of female education in tribal area, is important contributing factor associated with utilization of postnatal care. Female education is related with enhancing the economic status of mothers, female empowerment, awareness of mother, and independent decisions making capacity in them.