International Journal of Medical Science and Pharmaceutical Research

Background: Postnatal care (PNC) is a critical but chronically underutilised component of the maternal and child health continuum of care. Despite its established role in preventing maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality, utilisation of PNC services remains unacceptably low in Nigeria, including the Osogbo Local Government Area of Osun State. Three-quarters of women globally do not receive recommended postnatal care, contributing to 60–80% of maternal deaths during the postpartum period.

Objective: This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of nursing mothers towards the utilisation of postnatal care services in the Osogbo Local Government Area, Osun State, Nigeria.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used. Using Slovin's formula, a sample size of 173 nursing mothers was calculated from a population of 270, with attrition adjustment yielding 173 targeted respondents, of whom 168 returned fully completed questionnaires. Simple random sampling was employed to select participants attending Oke-Baale Primary Health Centre in Osogbo LGA. A structured self-administered questionnaire with four sections assessed socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge of PNC, influence of knowledge on PNC utilisation, attitudes towards PNC, and PNC practice. Reliability was established using Pearson Product-Moment Correlation (r = 0.7). Data were analysed using SPSS version 21, with results presented as frequencies and percentages.

Results: The majority of respondents were aged 25–34 years (47.6%), married (70.8%), Christian (63.1%), Yoruba (43.5%), with tertiary education (48.8%), and civil servants (39.9%). Most resided in rural areas (66.7%). Knowledge of PNC was high: 78.6% correctly defined PNC, 78.0% were aware of its benefits, 78.6% knew the risks of missing PNC, and 78.6% affirmed that PNC promotes maternal and infant health. The influence of knowledge on utilisation was strong: 88.7% reported that PNC information received during ANC developed their interest in utilising PNC services, and 86.3% agreed that greater knowledge leads to increased utilisation. Attitudes were overwhelmingly positive: 78.6% considered PNC mandatory for all nursing mothers, 81.5% did not find PNC time-consuming, and 70.8% affirmed that PNC adequately addresses the physical, medical, and emotional needs of mothers and children. Practice was largely positive: 80.4% attended PNC as a routine, scheduled visit; 83.9% believed that family/social network support improves PNC utilisation, though 73.2% encountered access barriers, including transportation, distance, and financial constraints.

Conclusion: Nursing mothers in Osogbo LGA demonstrate high levels of PNC knowledge and consistently positive attitudes, with reasonably strong practice of routine PNC attendance. Persistent access barriers, particularly transport, distance, and financial constraints, remain the primary structural impediments to optimal PNC utilisation. Targeted interventions that address these barriers, alongside community-level health education and family engagement programs, are essential to closing the knowledge–practice gap in PNC utilisation among this population.

postnatal care, nursing mothers, knowledge, attitude, practice, utilisation, maternal health, Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria, Health Belief Model

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