The aim of this study was to determine significant predictors for the
utilisation of postnatal service among mothers. A total of 295 postnatal
mothers were enrolled in a cross-sectional study design undertaken in six
health facilities of Lilongwe District using two-stage cluster sampling
with a response rate of 100%. The data were collected by interview from
December 2012 to January 2013 using a structured questionnaire. The
result showed that over half of the mothers (56.6%) utilised postnatal
service within 6 weeks after delivery. A stepwise multiple logistic
regression was used to determine significant determinants of utilisation of
postnatal service among mothers. After adjusting for confounding factors,
utilisation of an alternative local source of care in home after delivery
[adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 7.77, 95% CI: 4.14–14.58], women’s perception
on performance of health workforce during delivery and postnatal service
(aOR: 6.56, 95% CI: 3.09–13.94), health education before hospital
discharge of postnatal mothers (aOR: 4.08, 95% CI: 2.11–7.92), place of
delivery (aOR: 4.32, 95% CI: 1.32–14.12), family income (aOR: 1.89, 95%
CI: 1.03–3.46) and the occurrence of no complications during delivery
(aOR: 1.90, 95% CI: 1.03–3.50) were significantly associated with the
utilisation of postnatal service. Hence, this study suggests that improved
health workforce performance coupled with effective health education
may increase the utilisation of postnatal service. Furthermore, the
utilisation of postnatal service may also be increased through reducing
home deliveries, delivery complications and the use of alternative local
care at home after delivery. Integration of postnatal service in outreach
clinics might also assist through reducing the cost of accessing postnatal
service among mothers.