Utilization of Postnatal Care Services among Women of Reproductive Age in Homabay County, Kenya

Shannon Ademba Adhiambo, John Oyore, Anthony Wanyoro — Fri, 13 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Purpose: The World Health Organization describes postnatal care as the care given to the mother and baby immediately after birth up to six weeks after delivery. This care plays a critical role in improving neonatal and maternal survival by improving maternal knowledge of newborn care and appropriate health-seeking behavior. This study aimed to assess the utilization of postnatal care among women in Mbita Sub County.

Methodology: The study population involved all women of reproductive age with children below nine months of age who reside in Mbita Sub County, Homabay County. Mbita Sub County was selected for the study using purposive sampling. The participants were selected using a multistage sampling technique. Semi-structured questionnaires, key informant interview guides, and focus discussion groups were used to collect data. Qualitative data was entered, coded, and analyzed using SPPS version 26.0 software. The relationship between variables was tested using Pearson chi-square test.

Results: Postnatal care utilization was (167, 45.1%). Factors that predicted utilization of PNC were age of the mother (χ2=18.797, p=0.002), marital status (χ2=16.104, p=0.001), parity (χ2=37.617, p=0.000), household level of income (χ2=15.368, p=0.022), level of education (χ2=19.975, p=0.008), occupation (χ2=28.007, p=0.000), and awareness of cultural practices carried out after delivery (χ2=39.990, p=0.000).

Conclusion: The study concluded that factors that determine the rate of PNC utilization were age, marital status, level of education, parity, occupation of the mother, and household income. The study suggests implementing targeted initiatives to raise awareness about the significance of postnatal care (PNC) services among women and their families. This would involve educating them about the importance of PNC and aligning mothers' appointments with the national PNC follow-up schedule.

Assaults among Nurses Attending Aggressive Psychiatric Patients at Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital, Nairobi City County, Kenya

Karanja Elizabeth Wanjugu, Dr. Priscilla Kabue, Dr. Talaso Barako — Fri, 13 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Purpose: Assaults among the Nurses attending to aggressive psychiatric patients have been a longstanding issue in the psychiatric facilities. The study aimed to assess the assaults among Nurses attending the aggressive psychiatric patients at MNTRH. The specific objectives were to determine the nurse’s factors associated with assault by aggressive psychiatric patients, establish the health facility factors associated with assaults among the nurses attending aggressive psychiatric patients, and identify the psychiatric patients' factors themselves associated with the nurses’ assault at MNTRH.

Methods: The study used a cross-sectional research design to conduct the study, while data collection tool used was a structured questionnaire and interview. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Results: Statistical analyses revealed significant correlations among various factors contributing to assaults among nurses at MNTRH. Notably, a moderate positive relationship was observed between Nurse’s Factors Associated with Assault and the actual occurrences of assaults. Similarly, Health Facility Factors Associated with Assault and Aggressive Psychiatric Patients’ Factors Associated with Assaults demonstrated significant, albeit varying, relationships with assaults. The overall regression model was statistically significant indicating that the predictors collectively contribute significantly to explaining the variability in assaults. Notably, Nurse’s Factors Associated with Assault Health Facility Factors Associated with Aggressive Psychiatric Patients’ Factors Associated with Assaults were all significant predictors.

Conclusion: The study emphasizes the multifaceted nature of the issue, urging targeted interventions addressing both individual nurse-related factors and institutional conditions to enhance safety in psychiatric settings at MNTRH.

Journal of Medicine, Nursing and Public health

Utilization of Postnatal Care Services among Women of Reproductive Age in Homabay County, Kenya

Assaults among Nurses Attending Aggressive Psychiatric Patients at Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital, Nairobi City County, Kenya