Perception and care-seekling behaviour for post partum morbidity among mothers in Enugu south east, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Postpartum Care is necessary to monitor and ensure return to normal of some physiological changes that occurred during pregnancy and delivery, and any abnormalities detected should be treated. The aim of this study is to describe the perception of and care seeking behaviour for maternal morbidity following childbirth among mothers in Enugu, Nigeria and determine if they depend on the socio-demographic characteristics ofmothers.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey of women who had recent deliveries was done. Quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection were used. Data analysis was by descriptive and inferential statistics at 95% level of confidence and manual content analysis.

Results: Three hundred and seventy-one respondents who had, at least, one self-reported morbidity following childbirth were studied. Only approximately 43.1% perceived their symptoms as abnormal and 39.5% sought medical attention for their symptoms. Inaccurate perception was influenced by the severity of symptoms as well as cultural beliefs on what constitutes abnormal symptoms following childbirth. Correct perception of morbidity was dependent on maternal age (p = 0.002) and educational status (p = 0.004) whereas positive care seeking behaviour was dependent on area of residence (p = 0.03). A greater proportion of mothers aged 30 years or below had accurate perception compared to older mothers (p = 0.02). A greater proportion of rural dwellers sought medical attention for their symptoms compared to urban dwellers.

Conclusion: Inaccurate perception of, and poor care seeking behaviour for postpartum morbidity were common among a sample of women with recent deliveries in Enugu due largely to cultural beliefs about morbidity following childbirth. Correct perception and positive care seeking behaviour were not enhanced by older age, greater educational attainment of mothers or residence in urban areas.