Sadettan Souphaphone, Inthaphatha Souphalak, Phanthanalay Vanpheng, Leungmylay Douangta, Seumlamvanh Sengthong, Phoummalaysith Bounfeng, Nishino Kimihiro, Yamamoto Eiko
Department of Healthcare Administration, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya, 466-8550, Japan.
Cabinet, Ministry of Health, Vientiane Capital, Lao People's Democratic Republic.
BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2025 Jul 2;25(1):699. doi: 10.1186/s12884-025-07798-4.
Postnatal care (PNC) contributes to reducing maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity. This study aims to identify the utilization of PNC and factors associated with receiving at least two PNC services for mothers and babies in Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR).
A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 533 women at 6–12 weeks postpartum in Vientiane, Bolikhamsai, and Khammouane Provinces from October to December 2022. Socio-demographic factors, obstetrics and infant factors, attitudes towards visiting health facilities and PNC, and knowledge, attitudes, and practice of maternal and child health were collected. The utilization of PNC for women and for babies was analyzed. Logistic regression analyses were performed on having two PNC services or more for mothers and babies.
Most mothers were 19–29 years old, had education at secondary school, had four or more antennal care visits, and had childbirth at health facilities. The coverage of PNC within the 24 h after birth (PNC 1) for mothers was 77.9% and PNC 1 for newborns was 84.2%. The coverage of two or more PNC services for both mothers and their babies was 43.3%. More than 90% of the women had an educational session on breastfeeding and took iron supplements after their most recent childbirth, approximately 80% used appropriate contraception methods, and 62.7% completed vaccinations for their most recent babies according to the baby’s age. Approximately 10% of women reported that factors such as income, distance, and transportation serve as barriers to accessing PNC. Factors associated with having two or more PNC services for mothers and babies were being single/divorced, having a monthly household income ≥ 1,000,000 Lao Kip (approximately 45 USD), living outside the city, and having the most recent childbirth at health facilities.
While PNC 1 coverage was relatively high, continued PNC services remained low. Promoting institutional delivery with a minimum 24-hour stay postpartum may improve PNC uptake. The Lao government should consider reintroducing targeted financial support for postpartum women, especially for those with a low-income. Strengthening community outreach through local health workers and culturally appropriate education can further enhance access to and uptake of PNC.
产后护理有助于降低孕产妇和新生儿的死亡率及发病率。本研究旨在确定老挝人民民主共和国（老挝）母亲和婴儿产后护理的利用情况以及与接受至少两项产后护理服务相关的因素。
2022年10月至12月，在万象、波里坎赛省和甘蒙省对533名产后6至12周的妇女进行了一项横断面研究。收集了社会人口学因素、产科和婴儿因素、对前往医疗机构和产后护理的态度以及母婴健康知识、态度和行为。分析了妇女和婴儿产后护理的利用情况。对母亲和婴儿接受两项或更多产后护理服务进行了逻辑回归分析。
大多数母亲年龄在19至29岁之间，接受过中学教育，产前检查四次或更多次，且在医疗机构分娩。母亲产后24小时内的首次产后护理（PNC 1）覆盖率为77.9%，新生儿的PNC 1覆盖率为84.2%。母亲及其婴儿接受两项或更多产后护理服务的覆盖率为43.3%。超过90%的妇女在最近一次分娩后参加了母乳喂养教育课程并服用了铁补充剂，约80%的妇女使用了适当的避孕方法，62.7%的妇女根据婴儿年龄为最近出生的婴儿完成了疫苗接种。约10%的妇女报告称，收入、距离和交通等因素是获得产后护理的障碍。与母亲和婴儿接受两项或更多产后护理服务相关的因素包括单身/离异、家庭月收入≥1000000老挝基普（约45美元）、居住在城外以及最近一次在医疗机构分娩。
虽然首次产后护理覆盖率相对较高，但持续的产后护理服务仍然较低。推广产后至少住院24小时的机构分娩可能会提高产后护理的利用率。老挝政府应考虑重新为产后妇女，特别是低收入妇女提供有针对性的财政支持。通过当地卫生工作者加强社区宣传和开展符合文化习惯的教育可以进一步提高产后护理的可及性和利用率。
