Pattern and utilization of postnatal care services by mothers attending University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Cross River State, Nigeria

Background: Postnatal care (PNC) encompasses various aspects including recovery from childbirth, newborn care, breastfeeding, and family planning. Although recent guidelines on improving PNC services in low-resource settings focus on the timing and content of PNC services, there is lack of data on these services in Cross River State, Nigeria and most other low-resource settings. Objectives: To determine the pattern and utilization of PNC services among mothers attending the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Cross River State, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed. A total of 341 mothers were selected using simple random sampling via balloting with replacement. Data were collected using a self-developed questionnaire and analyzed through descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and association analysis. Results: The results indicated that 23.4% of mothers initiated PNC services within 4–14 days after delivery. Mothers arriving for PNC services after receiving PNC health talks had better utilization of PNC services (OR: 1.50, 95% CI: 1.25–1.80). Conversely, postpartum mothers who were observed to be taking iron supplements (OR: 0.72, 95% CI: 0.57–0.91) and malaria drugs (OR: 0.49, 95% CI: 0.38–0.63) were linked to poorer PNC utilization. More than half (52.3%) of the mothers demonstrated poor PNC utilization. Factors negatively influencing utilization of PNC services included long distances to health facilities (OR: 1.50, 95% CI: 1.25–1.80), negative healthcare provider attitudes (OR: 0.73, 95% CI: 0.62–0.85), and lengthy waiting times (OR: 0.79, 95% CI: 0.67–0.93). Conclusion: This study highlights the need for interventions to promote timely and optimal utilization of PNC services. Addressing barriers related to distance, healthcare provider attitudes, and financial constraints are essential to encourage better access and utilization of PNC services. Targeted strategies can ultimately contribute to improved maternal and newborn health outcomes.