Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Postnatal Home Visit among Healthcare Workers in IDP Camps and Host Community Clinics in Jere And Maiduguri, Nigeria

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Postnatal Home Visit among Healthcare Workers in Maiduguri, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Postnatal Home Visit (PHV) is advocated as a stop-gap measure to overcome the challenges of low postnatal visits in developing countries, however, it is not yet a routine practice in Nigeria.

Objective: The objective of the study was to determine the knowledge, attitude, and practice of PHV among Health care workers (HCWs).

Methodology: A self-administered questionnaires were instituted to 100 HCWs from 20 selected IDP camps and Host Community clinics in Jere and Maiduguri metropolitan council, Borno State on 20^th & 27^th, May 2019. The HCWs were attending a five-day workshop on child spacing counseling organized by the Society of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians of Nigeria-Northeast (SOGON-NE) sector. They were asked about their knowledge, attitude, and practice of PHV. Fischer exact test was used to test for association with a P value of <0.05 set for statistical significance.  

Results: The mean ±SD age of the HCWs was 26.45±8.23 years and 45% of them were Nurses/midwives while 32% were CHEWs. The majority (68%) of the respondents were aware of PHV, 65% had a positive attitude and were willing to offer the services but only 48% had offered PHV in the last 12 months. The Health mobilizers and CHEW showed more willingness to offer PHV compared to the Nurses/midwife and Hospital assistants. About 62% of the HCWs needed more training to offer PHV efficiently.

Conclusion: HCWs in the IDP camps and Host Community clinics have good knowledge and a positive attitude toward the practice of PHV but they needed training to offer the services effectively.