Journal Article

Determinants of Postnatal Care (PNC) Knowledge and Perceptions among Women Utilizing PNC and Antenatal Care Services in the Oshana region, Namibia

Dzinamarira, Tafadzwa, Ross, Andrew, Moyo, Enos, Moyo, Perseverance

2025

Overview

Background: Postnatal care (PNC) knowledge and positive perceptions are crucial for women’s utilisation of PNC services. Aim: The study aimed to assess the level of PNC knowledge, perceptions of PNC, and determinants of both among women. Setting: Public healthcare facilities in the Oshana region, Namibia. Methods: The study followed a quantitative cross-sectional survey design. A self-administered questionnaire was administered to 814 participants selected via systematic random sampling. PNC knowledge and perceptions were used separately as dependent variables. Participants’ characteristics were used as independent variables. Chi-square tests and binomial and multinomial logistic regression were used to analyse associations between PNC knowledge or perceptions and participants’ characteristics. Results: Among the participants, 55.6% (n = 434) demonstrated good PNC knowledge, while 27.3% (n = 213) had positive PNC perceptions. Participants who had no formal education, were unemployed, and did not utilise PNC services had a lower likelihood of having good PNC knowledge; adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 0.33, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.21–0.53, crude odds ratio (COR) = 0.68, 95% CI, 0.49–0.92; and AOR = 0.72, 95% CI, 0.52–0.98. Similarly, women who did not attend antenatal care had a lower likelihood of having positive PNC perceptions; COR = 0.56, 95% CI, 0.33–0.96. Conclusion: There is a need for multipronged interventions to improve PNC knowledge and perceptions among women in the Oshana region. Contribution: This study identified context-specific factors that influence women’s PNC knowledge and perceptions.

• Publisher: AOSIS
• Subject: Adolescent / Adult / associated factors / Cross-Sectional Studies / Female / Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice / Humans / Middle Aged / Namibia / oshana region / Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Postnatal Care - statistics & numerical data / postnatal care knowledge / postnatal care perceptions / Pregnancy / Prenatal Care - statistics & numerical data / Surveys and Questionnaires / Young Adult