Assessment of Postnatal Care Utilisation and Associated Factors Among Mothers in Zamfara State

Postnatal care is a critical but consistently underutilised component of the continuum of maternal and newborn care, and its specific barriers and predictors among recently delivered women in North West Nigeria require contextualised investigation. This study assessed postnatal care utilisation within 48 hours of delivery and within six weeks postpartum among mothers in Gusau LGA, Zamfara State, North West Nigeria. A cross-sectional community-based survey was conducted among 250 women who had delivered in the preceding 12 months, selected through multistage random sampling. A structured questionnaire assessed the number and timing of postnatal visits, care received, reasons for non-attendance, and sociodemographic characteristics. Results showed that postnatal care within 48 hours of facility delivery was received by 61.8 percent of those who delivered in a facility, but only 14.6 percent of home delivery mothers. Completion of the recommended postnatal visit schedule (within 48 hours, at 6 days, and 6 weeks) was achieved by only 22.8 percent of respondents. Barriers to PNC attendance included distance to facilities (66.4 percent), perceived wellness after delivery (58.8 percent), husband's disinterest (51.2 percent), and cost of transport (43.6 percent). Facility delivery (OR 5.2; p < 0.001), maternal education (OR 3.1; p < 0.001), and antenatal care attendance of four or more visits (OR 2.8; p < 0.001) were significant predictors of postnatal care utilisation. The study recommends community midwifery outreach, free postnatal care policies, and husband engagement to improve PNC coverage in Zamfara State. Keywords: postnatal care, maternal healthcare, Zamfara State, North West Nigeria, postpartum care