Public Health and Nutrition

Biography

Biography: Elkhoudri Noureddine

Abstract

Background: Despite the importance of the postnatal consultation, in Morocco, only 22% of women attended these consultations, even if they are provided without charge by the public health centers. The aim of this study is to identify associated factors with these consultations and offer suggestions to improve their use. Methods: A sample of women in reproductive age (15-49) giving birth during the year preceding the survey was enrolled. During the study period (January-October 2014), they were examined in the public health centers for postnatal consultation or for the BCG, A descriptive and analytic cross-sectional survey was conducted. The cluster random sampling was used to select six health centers from the list of these centers. 172 women were included from the patients examined in each selected health centre, giving a total of 1,029 women. All participants provided consent before participating in the survey. The information was collected anonymously and confidentially. A pretested questionnaire makes it possible to collect information about sociodemographic, knowledge and perception of women regarding these consultations. To estimate the observed differences Chi-square test was used for categorical variables. The multivariate analysis was used to identify factors associated with the postnatal consultation. The statistical significance was set at p<0.05 and SPSS Software (version 10.1) was used for all statistical analysis. Results: The proportion of women who attended a postnatal consultation was 30.1%.Lack of information (87%), lack of complications (68.6%), health professional poor reception (42%) and financial difficulties (3.3%) were the main reasons that hinder these consultations. Also, women of rural origin, low education level, and low socioeconomic status are important determinants associated with non-use of postnatal consultation. Conclusion: This study confirmed the low rate of these consultations. Various determinants explain this fact. We believe that the fight against illiteracy, improving household living standards, sensitization of women on the importance of postpartum care, awareness and capacity building of health professionals in the postnatal consultation and communication, and the development of a system of home. Keywords: Determinants, postnatal consultation use, Morocco, women