Determinants of Early Postnatal Care Attendance: Analysis of the 2016 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey

Patricia Ndugga, Makerere University, Department of Population Studies, College of Business and Management Sciences
Noor Kassim Namiyonga, Uganda Bureau of Statistics
Deogratious Sebuwufu, Ministry of Health

Postnatal care within two days after childbirth allows early detection of problems that could result in adverse maternal health outcomes. Unfortunately, uptake of early postnatal care (EPNC) remains low in Uganda. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the determinants of EPNC attendance among women. The study sample comprised 5,471 women who delivered a child in the 2 years preceding the 2016 UDHS. Findings showed that 50% of mothers used EPNC services. Women’s residence, education level, religion, wealth status, marital status, occupation, antenatal care attendance, place of delivery, birth order, perceived accessibility of health facilities, and access to mass media messages were associated with greater use of EPNC. Multivariate analysis showed that delivery at a health facility was the most important determinant of EPNC attendance. To increase mothers’ uptake of EPNC, programs could strengthen health facility delivery and ensure that EPNC is provided to all women before discharge.