Factors influencing uptake of postnatal care services at a maternal and child health clinic in Kajiado County Referral Hospital, Kenya

Abstract

Background/Aims Despite birth aftercare recommendations that a postnatal visit should take place to examine both a woman and her child 6 weeks after birth, use of postnatal care services remains low at the Kajiado County referral hospital. This study's aim was to understand the factors influencing uptake of postnatal care among women of reproductive age. Methods This qualitative study used purposive sampling to select study respondents who were asked to attend focus group discussions to collect data. A total of 12 women were interviewed during their postnatal period. The qualitative data were analysed by theme categorisation. Results Respondents cited low income and forgetfulness, as well as the long distance to travel for postnatal services and long waiting times at the hospital as the main factors hindering attendance at and use of postnatal services. Conclusions Affordable and accessible postnatal care services need to be provided to follow up postnatal mothers, reducing the waiting time for services in postnatal clinics and ensuring women's partners support them to promote postnatal care service use.