Utilization of Postnatal Care Services among Thai Women during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results of a Web-Based Survey
Issued Date
2022-06-01
Resource Type
ISSN
16617827
eISSN
16604601
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85130874291
Pubmed ID
35682122
Journal Title
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Volume
19
Issue
11
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health Vol.19 No.11 (2022)
Suggested Citation
Aye Y.M., Kim S.J., Suriyawongpaisal W., Hong S.A., Chang Y.S. Utilization of Postnatal Care Services among Thai Women during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results of a Web-Based Survey. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health Vol.19 No.11 (2022). doi:10.3390/ijerph19116536 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/85825
Title
Utilization of Postnatal Care Services among Thai Women during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results of a Web-Based Survey
Author(s)
Author's Affiliation
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
The postnatal period is an underserved aspect of maternity care, potentially worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to identify postnatal care (PNC) use by health personnel within the 42 days of childbirth among postpartum mothers in Thailand. This web-based, cross-sectional study was conducted from July to October 2021 (n = 840). Multiple binary and ordinal logistic regressions were conducted to predict three outcome variables (≥2 times, ≥3 times, or level of PNC use). Women who received PNC were in low numbers (≥2: 30.7% and (≥3: 12.9%), while 54.4% of women reported no barriers to access PNC, and 31.9% reported barriers, including worries over COVID-19 infection, followed by movement restrictions imposed by the government (11.7%) and the closure of healthcare centers (10%). Women working in a self-employed capacity, living in urban areas, and undergoing a Caesarean section with no/less worry about COVID-19 infection were more likely to utilize postnatal care (≥2 or number of PNC). This study provides timely information, revealing that a relatively low percentage of postpartum women received PNC, particularly among the socially deprived group. Since the fear of COVID infection is listed as a major barrier, the provision of PNC services, including a telehealth program should be considered.