title: Use of early postnatal care among postpartum women in Eastern Uganda.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the level and predictors of early postnatal care (EPNC) utilization in Soroti District, Eastern Uganda.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was conducted at nine health facilities in February 2014. Women aged 15-49years who had delivered in the previous year (but >1week ago) were enrolled at postnatal care clinics. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Multivariate analysis was used to identify factors associated with EPNC use (postnatal care visit 2-7days after delivery).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among 357 respondents, 55 (15.4%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 11.6%-19.2%) used EPNC services. EPNC attendance was significantly associated with formal employment (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 3.88; 95% CI 1.08-13.93; P=0.038) and education about postnatal care schedules (aOR 9.73; 95% CI 1.58-60.06; P=0.014). Women at public health facilities were significantly less likely to have attended EPNC than were those at private facilities (aOR 0.03; 95% CI 0.01-0.10; P<0.001). An increase in length of hospitalization by 1day was associated with reduced EPNC utilization (aOR 0.63; 95% CI 0.43-0.91; P=0.015).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  EPNC was poorly utilized and prioritized. Its use was hindered by protracted hospitalization, care provision at public facilities, maternal unemployment or self-employment, and lack of information.
authors: Institute of Health Policy and Management, International Health Sciences University, Kampala, Uganda; Uganda Society for Health Scientists, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Department of Anatomy, Kampala, Uganda. Electronic address: sabo_nah@yahoo.com.
authors: Jonathan
authors: J
authors: Izudi
authors: Institute of Health Policy and Management, International Health Sciences University, Kampala, Uganda; Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
authors: Dinah
authors: D
authors: Amongin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016304:Hospitals, Private / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006779:Hospitals, Public / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011181:Postnatal Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014454:Uganda; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Early postnatal care; Length of stay; Postpartum women; Uganda