Journal of Community Medicine & Health Education
Open Access

Abstract

Introduction: First 48 hours post-delivery are crucial period for survival of new-borns as most of the neonatal deaths occur in this period. Recent recommendation requires all government institutions to discharge the mother and baby only after 48 hours of delivery. Aim: The aim of the study was to find out the various factors causing early discharge of women having normal deliveries at government health facilities Material & Methods: The study was conducted in a rural block of Haryana, India. Postnatal women delivering normally within 6 months were included in the study after their written consent. A 30 items questionnaire was developed by the investigators to interview the women containing the demographic details and questions on various factors affecting postnatal stay at the health facility Results: A total of 40 women consented and participated in the study. The mean age of participants was 24±14.2 years. Most of the women (60%) were having their first child. Out of them, 12 delivered at PHC, 18 at CHC and rest at district hospital. Forty five percent (18) of the women were discharge early (<48 hours). Education of mother, lower socio-economic status, delivery at PHC and no counselling by doctor/nurse were significantly associated with early discharge. Among those who stayed till 48 hours, only 25% of women were told the reasons by doctor/nurse for staying Conclusions: The proportion of cases discharged early is high. There is a need of essential counselling by health workers (ASHAs and ANMs) during antenatal period to the pregnant women for staying at the health facility till 48 hours after delivery.

Biography

Email: dr.basharmudhaffar@yahoo.com