Postnatal care knowledge and perceptions among women in the Oshana region, Namibia

Abstract

Background: Postnatal care (PNC) knowledge and positive perceptions are crucial for women's utilisation of PNC services. Aim: The study aimed to assess the level of PNC knowledge, perceptions of PNC, and determinants of both among women. Setting: Public healthcare facilities in the Oshana region, Namibia. Methods: The study followed a quantitative cross-sectional survey design. A self-administered questionnaire was administered to 814 participants selected via systematic random sampling. PNC knowledge and perceptions were used separately as dependent variables. Participants' characteristics were used as independent variables. Chi-square tests and binomial and multinomial logistic regression were used to analyse associations between PNC knowledge or perceptions and participants' characteristics. Results: Among the participants, 55.6% (n = 434) demonstrated good PNC knowledge, while 27.3% (n = 213) had positive PNC perceptions. Participants who had no formal education, were unemployed, and did not utilise PNC services had a lower likelihood of having good PNC knowledge; adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 0.33, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.21–0.53, crude odds ratio (COR) = 0.68, 95% CI, 0.49–0.92; and AOR = 0.72, 95% CI, 0.52–0.98. Similarly, women who did not attend antenatal care had a lower likelihood of having positive PNC perceptions; COR = 0.56, 95% CI, 0.33–0.96. Conclusion: There is a need for multipronged interventions to improve PNC knowledge and perceptions among women in the Oshana region. Contribution: This study identified context-specific factors that influence women's PNC knowledge and perceptions.