Utilization of Postnatal Care among Rural Women in Punjab

BACKGROUND: The postchildbirth period presents considerable challenges in the form of health risks for the mother and the newborn, yet postnatal care (PNC) remains seldom utilized maternal and newborn health intervention. OBJECTIVES: The present study aims to study the coverage of PNC among rural women in Punjab and understand the factors that determine the utilization of PNC services. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From rural areas of seven districts of Punjab, a total of 420 respondents were questioned using semi-structured interview schedule. Binary logistic regression is employed to understand the factors that influence the utilization of complete PNC. RESULTS: The utilization of complete PNC has remained mere 25.9% in the present study. The results of multivariate logistic regression reveal that variables district, caste, birth order, and type of delivery significantly influence the utilization of complete PNC. CONCLUSION: The utilization of PNC component is found to be abysmal as compared to antenatal component and institutional delivery among the study group. There is a need to create awareness regarding the necessity of PNC among the women.