Practice of Postnatal Care Among Women at 6 Weeks in Selective Health Centers

Abstract

Post-natal care is critical period for women, neonatal and families, in which maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity remains extremely high. Rwanda has little awareness in community PNC package. The main objective of study is to assess the practice of postnatal care according to WHO Guideline in selected health centers in Kigali. This study has a descriptive a cross-section design. Data will derive from the observation of a 100 women and babies who came for vaccination at 6 weeks at Bumbogo and Kacyiru health center. The sample technic was purposive sampling, we used designed checklist to collect data and to assess the package, level and quality of post-natal care delivered to the women and their babies. 100 women and babies, the package on PNC is done at 10% other 90% receive insufficiently, the level of PNC obtain by women is very low for 80% of them while other receive on low level of 20% of PNC and quality of PNC deliver to the women is low. For the babies, the package receive is almost 60% but 40% receive sufficient package of PNC. The level receive by babies is low at 65% and quality deliver is low on 65% while 35% receive high quality of PNC. The package, level and quality are low compared to WHO guideline. It would be recommendable that midwives are advised to follow the guidelines as they are the most productive in PNC. The Ministry of Health is requested to organize training for the staff of health center in order to improve the quality of PNC. Finally, we should consider that the package of PNC is large (many parents, short time and few nurses). Health centers need more staff.