Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Medicine - Department of Community Medicine

Methods: The study is an exploratory study that was conducted in 3 randomly selected PHC units in Shebien el Kanater, Qaliobia, Egypt using quantitative data: the total sample size was accounted for 600 women. A structured interview questionnaire was designed to collect data from the mothers regarding socio-demographic data, maternal history, pattern of antenatal care (ANC) / natal care (NC) and pattern of PNC utilization. This interview last for 25 to 30 minutes. Qualitative component: Eight in-depth interviews were conducted with health care providers including Traditional birth attendants and Raeda Riffias (rural health workers/visitors). Eight focus group discussions were also conducted with women who had babies younger than one year. The discussion guide included information about importance of postnatal care, barriers to utilization and suggestions for improvement. Results: the study showed that the Mean age at marriage 19.8±2.9. Only 34.2% of sampled women were examined late within the 40 days following delivery. From neonates, 80% were examined postnatal for the first time at the first month of life. Women who received ANC in their last pregnancy were (80.5%). (81.2%) of women delivered vaginal while only (17.6%) by caesarean section. home deliveries which are still present (15.8%). About 81% delivered at a health facility. More than half of women received PNC home visit only once. Shortages of skilled staff, equipment and supplies maltreatment of HCPs and PHC unit employees, inadequate quality of services provided, crowdedness and absence of standard protocol including all components of PNC services for mothers and their babies were common complaints in the community. In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, the following predictors were significantly associated with the utilization of PNC: Income (P value =0.001), utilization of ANC (P value =0.000) and delivery place (P value =0.02)

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