Assessment of Postnatal Care Practices Among Mothers at Primary Health Centres in Plateau State

Postnatal care in the first 42 days after delivery is critical for identifying and managing postpartum complications in both mother and newborn, yet coverage and quality remain inadequate across many Nigerian states, including Plateau State in the North Central zone. This study assesses postnatal care practices and utilisation patterns among mothers at selected primary health centres in Plateau State. A descriptive cross-sectional survey enrolled 230 women who had delivered within the preceding six weeks at five PHCs across Jos North, Barkin Ladi, and Shendam LGAs. Structured questionnaires assessed timing of first postnatal contact, number of postnatal visits, topics covered during postnatal consultations, and satisfaction with care received. Only 48 percent of respondents had their first postnatal contact within 24 hours of delivery as recommended. Fewer than 20 percent attended three or more postnatal visits. Breastfeeding support (72 percent) and neonatal danger signs education (61 percent) were the most commonly addressed topics, while postpartum family planning counselling was provided in only 38 percent of contacts. Long distance to PHC, poor perception of postnatal care benefit, and returning to agricultural work were leading barriers to multiple postnatal attendance. Recommendations include mobile postnatal teams for rural communities, integration of postpartum family planning into every postnatal contact, and community mobilisation in partnership with the Plateau State Ministry of Health. Keywords: postnatal care, Plateau State, primary health centre, postpartum, maternal health