Abstract
The postnatal period is an underserved aspect of maternity care, potentially worsened by
the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to identify postnatal care (PNC) use by health personnel
within the 42 days of childbirth among postpartum mothers in Thailand. This web-based, cross-sectional study was conducted from July to October 2021 (n = 840). Multiple binary and ordinal
logistic regressions were conducted to predict three outcome variables (≥2 times, ≥3 times, or level of
PNC use). Women who received PNC were in low numbers (≥2: 30.7% and (≥3: 12.9%), while 54.4%
of women reported no barriers to access PNC, and 31.9% reported barriers, including worries over
COVID-19 infection, followed by movement restrictions imposed by the government (11.7%) and the
closure of healthcare centers (10%). Women working in a self-employed capacity, living in urban areas,
and undergoing a Caesarean section with no/less worry about COVID-19 infection were more likely
to utilize postnatal care (≥2 or number of PNC). This study provides timely information, revealing
that a relatively low percentage of postpartum women received PNC, particularly among the socially
deprived group. Since the fear of COVID infection is listed as a major barrier, the provision of PNC
services, including a telehealth program should be considered.
the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to identify postnatal care (PNC) use by health personnel
within the 42 days of childbirth among postpartum mothers in Thailand. This web-based, cross-sectional study was conducted from July to October 2021 (n = 840). Multiple binary and ordinal
logistic regressions were conducted to predict three outcome variables (≥2 times, ≥3 times, or level of
PNC use). Women who received PNC were in low numbers (≥2: 30.7% and (≥3: 12.9%), while 54.4%
of women reported no barriers to access PNC, and 31.9% reported barriers, including worries over
COVID-19 infection, followed by movement restrictions imposed by the government (11.7%) and the
closure of healthcare centers (10%). Women working in a self-employed capacity, living in urban areas,
and undergoing a Caesarean section with no/less worry about COVID-19 infection were more likely
to utilize postnatal care (≥2 or number of PNC). This study provides timely information, revealing
that a relatively low percentage of postpartum women received PNC, particularly among the socially
deprived group. Since the fear of COVID infection is listed as a major barrier, the provision of PNC
services, including a telehealth program should be considered.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 6536 |
| Journal | International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health |
| Volume | 19 |
| Issue number | 11 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 27 May 2022 |