Healthcare provider’s adherence to immediate postpartum care guidelines in Gondar province hospitals, northwest Ethiopia: A multicenter study

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0259263
• Publication Date: 2021-10-28T17:57:04Z
• Authors: Azmeraw Ambachew ...; Birhan Tsegaw Taye; Kindu Yinges Wondie; Agumas Eskezia Tiguh; Getachew Azeze Eriku; Muhabaw Shumye Mi...
• Keywords: Male; Economics; Logistic regression; Pediatrics; 0302 clinical medicine; Sociology; Pregnancy; Observational study; Cognitive psychology; Pathology; Psychology; Internal medicine; Global Maternal and Child Health Outcomes; Q; R; Obstetrics and Gynecology; Odds ratio; Postpartum period; Checklist; FOS: Sociology; 3. Good health; Obstetrics; FOS: Psychology; Maternity care; Medicine; Female; Childbirth Experience; Guideline Adherence; Research Article; Adult; Postnatal Care; Family medicine; Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes of Cesarean Section; Science; Health Personnel; 03 medical and health sciences; Health Sciences; Genetics; Humans; Impact of Maternal Mental Health on Offspring; Biology; Cross-sectional study; Economic growth; Demography; Confidence interval; Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health; Health care; FOS: Biological sciences; Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health; Ethiopia

Background The immediate postpartum period is the most critical time for both the mother and the newborn. However, it is the most neglected part of the maternal continuum of care, and evidence in this regard was scarce in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the healthcare provider’s adherence to immediate postpartum care guidelines and associated factors in hospitals of Gondar province.

Methods A multicenter observational cross-sectional study was conducted among 406 healthcare providers from 15th November 2020 to 10th March 2021. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews and direct observation using a structured questionnaire and standardized checklist respectively. Data was entered into EPI INFO 7.1.2 and analyzed by SPSS version 25. Both bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were carried out. The level of significance was declared based on the adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) at a p-value of ≤ 0.05.

Results Overall, 42.4% (95% CI: 37.5, 47.2) of healthcare providers had complete adherence to immediate postpartum care guidelines. Having birth assistant (AOR = 1.87; 95% CI: 1.10, 9.67), being married (AOR = 1.59; 95% CI: 1.15, 3.31), availability of postpartum care guidelines at the maternity ward (AOR = 2.39; 95% CI: 1.44, 3.98), received basic emergency obstetric and newborn care (BEmONC) training (AOR = 2.1; 95% CI: 1.2, 3.6), monthly income of ≥ 10001 Ethiopian birr (AOR = 3.55; 95% CI: 1.30, 9.67), and work experience of ≥ 6 years (AOR = 0.15; 95% CI: 0.06, 0.38) were significantly associated with healthcare providers adherence to immediate postpartum care guidelines.

Conclusion This study indicated that health worker’s adherence to immediate postpartum care guidelines was low. Hiring adequate health workers, availing postpartum guidelines at the maternity ward, improving the salary and education opportunities for healthcare workers of healthcare workers, and provision of BEmONC training will have a great role in improving healthcare provider’s adherence to immediate postpartum care guidelines.