Factors Influencing Low Utilization of Postnatal Care at Six Days Among Mothers in Rural Zambia: A Case of Siavonga District Hospital

Abstract : Postnatal care (PNC) is a critical intervention for reducing maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality, yet its utilization remains low in many rural African settings. This study assessed factors influencing low attendance of postnatal mothers at six days at Siavonga District Hospital, Zambia. A cross-sectional study design was employed involving 384 postnatal women selected from Maternal and Child Health (MCH) registers. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analysed using SPSS version 24. Descriptive statistics and Pearson’s chi-square tests were used to determine associations between socio-demographic variables and PNC attendance. Only 14.2% of mothers attended postnatal services at six days, indicating critically low utilization. Significant factors associated with non-attendance included maternal age, parity, education level, distance to the health facility, and knowledge of PNC services. Social and cultural practices such as postpartum seclusion, negative perceptions of health workers, long waiting times, and limited partner support were also identified as key barriers. The findings highlight the need for community-based awareness programs, improved quality of care at facilities, and strengthened male involvement strategies. Enhancing early postnatal follow-up services could substantially improve maternal and newborn health outcomes in rural Zambia.