Non-utilization of selected newborn postnatal care and associated factors among postpartum women in East Africa: a multilevel mixed-effect analysis using the most recent DHS data 2016–2023

This study highlights that a significant proportion of newborns in East Africa do not receive selected newborn postnatal care within two days after birth. To address this, governments, policymakers, and all other relevant authorities must prioritize initiatives to improve the utilization of selected postnatal care in East Africa, including promoting paternal and maternal education, strengthening ANC use, enhancing media use, improving health facility delivery, and fostering long-term economic development. Special attention should be given to working mothers.