A Cross-Sectional Analytic Study of Postpartum HealthCare Service Utilization in the Philippines

In the Philippines, the maternal mortality ratio remains high, making it difficult to meet the 5th
Millennium Development Goals by 2015. During the postpartum period, approximately two-thirds of all
maternal deaths occur. Therefore, researchers conducted the current study to examine the current state
of use of postpartum health care services in the Philippines and to identify challenges to accessing
postpartum care. The questionnaire and awareness test were distributed in the Philippines to
postpartum mothers. During pregnancy and the postpartum period, the questionnaire collected
demographic features and information about their use of health care services. The knowledge test
consisted of 11 questions on 6 subjects related to possible physical and mental symptoms following
delivery. It analyzed sixty-four questionnaires and knowledge tests. mean time of first postpartum
health care visit was 5.165.2 days after delivery. Postpartum utilization of healthcare services was
significantly correlated with delivery location (P,0.01). Women who delivered at home had a lower rate
ofpostpartum health care service utilization than women who delivered at medical facilities. The
majority of participantsscored low on the knowledge. This study showed that the use of postpartum
health care services was inadequate, particularly for women who delivered at home. Our findings also
indicate that postpartum women lack knowledge about concerns about postpartum health. Barangay
health workers in the Philippines may play a role in educating postpartum women about the use of
health care services to improve their understanding of potential concerns and their overall use of health
care services.