Nyamagana is one of the leading districts in the Mwanza Region, with a total of 165 health facilities. However,

women in the district continue to face challenges in utilizing these health services. This study investigated the

knowledge of postnatal care services among women in Nyamagana District, Mwanza, Tanzania. A qualitative

approach was employed, involving in-depth interviews with 16 women who had given birth within the past

information on the appropriate time to access these services compare to private hospitals. The study recommends

the government should prioritize the strengthening of community awareness on the importance of timely and

continuous postnatal care (PNC). This can be achieved through targeted health education campaigns, integration

of community health workers (CHWs), culturally sensitive health messaging aimed at addressing

misconceptions surrounding the timing and purpose of PNC. Additionally, the government should invest in

training and deploying more skilled healthcare providers to deliver postnatal services, particularly in underserved

and rural areas where access remains limited.

Keywords: knowledge, postnatal care services, women.

and promote optimal care for infants is often not fully realized (World Health Organization, 2022).

Every day around the world, about 810 women lose their lives due to complications that could be prevented

during pregnancy and childbirth (WH0, 2020). A large majority94% of these deaths happen in countries with

low and middle incomes. The World Health Organization (2020) highlight that more than 60% of maternal

deaths take place during the postpartum period, especially within the first week after childbirth.

In sub-Saharan Africa, the overall rate of women using postnatal care services is about 52.5%. Among the

regions, Central Africa records the highest usage at 73.5%, while the lowest rate is seen in East Africa, where

only 31.7% of women access postnatal care (Hailemariam et al., 2024).

In Tanzania, about 51% of women aged 15 to 49 received a postnatal checkup within the first two days after

delivery, while only 28% were examined within four hours postpartum. Despite these efforts, 44% of women

pregnant women and newborns, helping them reach health facilities quickly during critical situations (Fund for

Innovation in Development, 2024). This program uses mobile technology and local drivers to coordinate urgent

responses. Also a pilot programs like Watoto Care aim to maintain consistent care after hospital discharge.

The expectation of these initiatives is to ensure that mothers utilize fully post natal care services so as to reduce

negative health outcomes like deaths and illnesses. However, the existing evidence highlight that utilization of

postnatal care remains low in Tanzania only 43.5% of women utilize postnatal care services (TDHS, 2022).

Mwanza Region records a high rate of health facility deliveries, with 76.8% of births occurring in medical

institutions. However the existing report shows that, postnatal care utilization remains relatively low at just

43.5%. This notable gap between facility-based births and postnatal care service use raises concerns about why

many women do not utilize PNC despite, delivering in health facilities (Tanzania Demographic Health Survey,

District has more health facilities than any other district in the Mwanza Region. However, the utilization of

postnatal care services is still a challenge. As highlighted in a study conducted at Bugando Hospital by Fulli

(2021), inadequate family support and poor economic status of the family were challenges faced by women

during PNC.

A qualitative approach and cross-sectional design were employed in this study. The cross-sectional design was

chosen as it allowed for the collection of data from the population at a single point in time, and facilitated

comparisons between different subgroups (Creswell, 2014). The qualitative approach was selected because it

enabled the researchers to gain in-depth insights into women's personal experiences, emotions, and cultural

beliefs that influence their decisions regarding postnatal care (Creswell, 2014). The study was conducted in

of children. Data were gathered through in-depth interviews, and two key informants {community health}

workers from the selected streets-were also interviewed to provide additional insights. Thematic analysis was

conducted following Braun and Clarke (2021), using repeated reading, reflective note taking, and descriptive

coding in NVivo 14. Data were further organized in Microsoft Excel and Word, and themes were developed

through constant comparison, supported by demographic context and participant quotations.

The researcher identified the knowledge of women living at Ngaza Street in Luchelele ward and at Califonia

street in Nyegezi ward Nyamagana district. The knowledge of women on postnatal care use were measured by

considering two themes which are meaning and interpretation given to postnatal and time of use postnatal care.

Another women in Califonia Street 40 years said

“Postnatal care is the support given to a mother to help her regain strength, such as providing food so she can

breastfeed the baby, helping with tasks like cooking, washing clothes, and massaging different parts of the

body such as the abdomen and waist”.

Also, another women Ngaza street 22 years said:

“Postnatal care is the kind of support that requires close attention from someone like the birth mother, mother-

in-law, or a close person to help and guide the new mother on how to take care of and raise the baby, especially

for first-time mothers”.

But also, community health worker in California Street said:

“Postnatal care is the service given to a mother after childbirth. Starting within the first twenty-four hours.

women in Califonia street 29 years said;

“I gave birth at one of the government hospitals in Nyamagana District. Both my baby and I were given

vaccinations, the baby was injected in the shoulder and given oral drops. Later, they told me that everything was

fine and that I should return after one month and two weeks to continue with the child's clinic”.

Another women in Ngaza street 33 years said;

“After giving birth, the doctors checked my health and my baby's health, then took us to a place where other

women were and asked if anyone was feeling unwell or if our babies were breastfeeding well. He emphasized

that if anyone felt unwell, they should see the nurse on duty. He also told us to return after one month and two

weeks or to go to the health center nearest to where we live. He concluded by saying no one should hesitate to

come back whenever they feel unwell”.

“Postnatal care begins within the first twenty-four hours in the hospital and continues after one month for the

The finding of the study revealed that most of participant's knowledge of postnatal care services depended on

the place of delivery. Most of participants who delivered in public hospitals in Nyamagana districts interpreted

postnatal care as care based on child immunization and growth monitoring and provided after one month and

two weeks after birth.

The study revealed that participant’s knowledge of postnatal care (PNC) services was largely shaped by their

place of delivery, with the majority of those delivering in public hospitals in Nyamagana District associating

PNC primarily with child immunization and growth monitoring services typically initiated after one month and

two weeks postpartum. This finding reflects a limited understanding of the full spectrum and timing of PNC,

through trained community health workers, could help reinforce early PNC and correct misconceptions regarding

1. Ahinkorah , B. O., Seidu, A.-A., budu , E., Adu. C., Osei R. J., & Yaya S. (2021). Factors Associated

with the Utilization of Postnatal Care Services Among Women in Mali: Analysis of the 2018 Mali

Demographic And Health Survey. BMC Public Health, 21, 1552. https://doi.org/10.1186/S12889-021-

3. Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2021). One size fit all? What counts as quality practice in (reflexive) thematic