Determinants of postpartum disorders following early hospital discharge in Blantyre, Malawi
Date
2020-09-01
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Abstract
Some mothers face various disorders after childbirth like postpartum haemorrhage, fatigue, sepsis, breast engorgement, sore nipple among others. However, it remains unknown as to what predisposes mothers to these disorders following early postnatal discharge. This current study aimed at establishing the determinants of postpartum disorders in mothers at home following early discharge. Specifically, the study identified the types of postpartum disorders following early postnatal discharge; determined the prevalence of mothers facing postpartum disorders following early discharge; investigated the demographic and socioeconomic factors which determine postpartum disorders after early discharge and assessed the existing support measures used to mitigate the postpartum disorders after early discharge. A cross-sectional study was conducted at Ndirande and Limbe Health Centres in Blantyre district with a sample size of 385 using systematic random sampling on mothers who had turned up at one-week postnatal check-up. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression using statistical package for social sciences 20.0. The study results revealed that 52.7%mothers with a mean age of 25 years developed postpartum disorders. Out of those, 2.5% had life-threatening postpartum disorders (excessive vaginal bleeding)while the rest had non-life-threatening postpartum disorders like severe abdominal pains, painful legs, headache etc. The mothers with tertiary level of education (OR 27.5, 95% CI: 1.88-402.9, p = 0.015) and those with poor wealth quintile(OR 0.40, 95% CI: 0.21 – 0.77, p= 0.006. Postpartum disorders were the ones who developed the postpartum disorders. Mothers, husbands of the study participants were the primary caregivers at home to these new mothers. The study will enrich the body of knowledge in midwifery practice, education, research and policy making. In conclusion, the study determines that early discharge is not directly affecting the development of postpartum disorder but with other factors like poverty and high education.