Abstract

This study evaluated factors that hinder participation in early postpartum care (days 2-6)
of mothers attending MCH at Lira Regional Referral Hospital. A quantitative cross-sectional
study design including 104 mothers attending postpartum care 6 weeks after giving birth
and recruited through a consecutive sampling technique was used. Data were collected
using a structured and closed-ended questionnaire. Data were coded and analyzed using
SPSS version 26.0 with EPNC as dependent in bivariate analysis. Informed consent was
obtained before study enrollment. The majority of participants were young mothers
between 15 and 24 years old 53 (51%), Christian 91 (87.5%), married 90 (86.5%), had
attained the highest level of education 67 (64.4%) and living in rural areas 71 (68.3%).The
majority of mothers were farmers/housewives 68 (65.4%) received antenatal care at least
4 times but less than 8 times 76 (73.1%) and gave birth in hospital 91 (87.5%). 20 mothers
(19.2%) had cultural beliefs about postpartum care, such as checking and removing
dentures 16 (80%) and plant-based feeding 2 (10%) before PNC. The majority of mothers,
54 (59.3%), were discharged less than 24 hours after giving birth and 81 (77.9%) reported
not having received health education about PNC. Factors hindering PENC among study
participants at the multivariate level included place of birth (aOR 0.048), distance from
health facility (aOR 0.133), attendance at antenatal care (aOR 0.023), and receiving
prenatal care (aOR 0.023). EPNC nursing staff reported (aOR 0.019) with a P - value <0.05.
In summary, the study found that place of birth, distance to health facility, prenatal care
attendance rate <4 times and lack of information from health care providers about EPNC
has hindered early postpartum care.