Influence of Health Education on Postnatal Care Utilisation Among Mothers in Kwara State

Postnatal care is essential for the early detection and management of complications following childbirth, yet utilisation rates among Nigerian mothers, particularly in North Central states, fall below recommended levels. This study examined the influence of health education on postnatal care utilisation among mothers in Kwara State. A cross-sectional descriptive design was employed, with 280 recently delivered women recruited from primary healthcare facilities in Ilorin East, Offa, and Moro local government areas. Structured interviewer-administered questionnaires were used for data collection, and analysis involved descriptive statistics and chi-square tests. Results revealed that only 41 percent of respondents had attended the recommended three postnatal visits within six weeks of delivery. Major barriers included lack of awareness of the importance of postnatal visits, distance from health facilities, and competing household demands. Mothers who had received structured health education on postnatal care during antenatal visits were 2.3 times more likely to complete at least two postnatal visits. Community health workers and radio broadcasts were identified as highly effective channels for postnatal health education. The study recommended integration of postnatal care education into antenatal care programmes and community health outreach in Kwara State. Keywords: postnatal care, health education, utilisation, mothers, Kwara State