Abstract

The postnatal is defined by the World Health Organization as the period beginning one hour after delivery of the
placenta and continuing until six weeks after the birth of an infant. To determine the socio-economic factors
associated with low utilization of postnatal care services at KIUTH. Also to identify cultural factors associated with
low utilization of postnatal care services at KIUTH. In other words, to find out hospital facility-related factors
associated with low utilization of postnatal care services at KIUTH. A cross-sectional hospital-based study design
was used to conduct the study among 140 mothers attending maternal and child health clinics in Kampala
International University Teaching Hospital during the study period and only those who consent to participate in
the study. The results indicated that the majority of the participants 66(47.1%) were between 21 and 30 years old
and most of them 58(41.4%) attained school up to secondary level. A high proportion of 120(85.7%) of the
participants were married and the majority 75(53.6%) were farmers. Furthermore, the majority of the participants
70(50%) said that their husbands were not supportive of them and also most of them were moving a distance of
between 1 and 2 Kilometers from home to the health facilities. From the results, the government should increase
the staffing of health units such that mothers can be encouraged to attend postnatal care services. Health workers
should do more health education to mothers, especially during their antenatal visits about the need for earlier
attending postnatal care services after delivery. Mothers who deliver from health centers should be encouraged to
attend post-natal care services and they can be encouraged to bring their husbands so that they both can be health
educated about the health of the mother and the child. The government should use mass media like radios, and
televisions to encourage mothers to utilize postnatal services in increased numbers.