The early postpartum period is considered a valuable time for the mother and newborns. The provision of quality care is essential during this period. Post-natal care (PNC) is an important opportunity for assessing the mothers and newborn health. This study aims to compare home-based and health facility-based postnatal care. Community-based cross-sectional mixed method research design with random sampling was adopted to select 104 samples; 52 each from home-based and health facility-based settings. A researcher-designed semi-structured interview schedule was used with four major areas; socio-demographic, maternal and neonatal services, satisfaction level, and incurred expenses. Cronbachs alpha of 12 items satisfaction level questionnaire was 0.80. Odds ratio, chi-square test, independent t-test, and Mann-Whitney U-test were computed to see the association of maternal and neonatal services with post-natal care visits. Maternal and neonatal services utilization was found higher in home-based PNCs as compared to health facility-based PNCs. Maternal and neonatal services including eye check-ups (OR: 0.35, CI: 0.15-0.81, p = 0.013), breast examination (OR: 0.40, CI: 0.17-0.94, p = 0.034), calcium taken (OR: 0.28, CI: 0.08-0.93, p = 0.030), baby temperature measured (OR: 0.40, CI: 0.18-0.90, p = 0.026), baby bath (OR: 2.10, CI: 1.79-2.59, p=0.022) and BCG immunization (OR: 0.24, CI: 0.08-0.72, p = 0.007) were found statistically significant with PNC visit. Overall satisfaction of postnatal mothers in home-based settings was higher as compared to health facility-based settings. There was a significant difference in 6 out of 12 satisfaction parameters. There was a statistically significant difference (x2 = 21.67, p = <0.001) in the time spent by postnatal mothers on PNC visits. Overall expenses during health facility visits seem to hike more than in home-based visits. The home-based service delivery approach is found applicable in improving maternal and newborn health services.
Academic Editor
Md.
Ekhlas Uddin Dipu, Managing Editor, Universe Publishing Group (UniversePG),
Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Project Coordinator, University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain.
Gaire S, Jakaria GM, Papri A, Hossain MK, Gaire SP, and Tuitui RL. (2024). Comparison of home-based to health facility-based postnatal care. Am. J. Pure Appl. Sci., 6(2), 52-65. https://doi.org/10.34104/ajpab.024.052065