Study of Different Factors Associated with Completion of Continuum of Care for Maternal Health Services in Kaski District, Nepal

Background: The continuum of care for maternal, newborn, and child health usually refers to the continuity of care throughout the pregnancy, childbirth and post-delivery period. It is an essential strategy to prevent maternal and neonatal deaths. The objective of this study was to identify the status and factors associated with completion of the continuum of care for maternal health services.

Materials and Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 372 women who had a child within one year. The data were collected through a face-to-face interview using pretested and structured Questionnaire. Univariate, bivariate, and multiple logistic analysis were carried out being based on the objectives of the study.

Results: The study found that about 75% of women completed the continuum of care for maternal health services. In multiple logistic regression analysis, women who had four or more antenatal visits (AOR: 18.00, 95% CI: 7.38-43.93) and advised for Postnatal care checkup (AOR=3.07, 95%CI: 1.49-6.32) were found statistically significant with the completion of continuum of care for maternal health services after adjustment of all variables.

Conclusion: It is concluded that the majority of the participants had completion of the continuum of care for maternal health services. Increment in the antenatal care visits and seeking of advice regarding postnatal checkup during pregnancy have positive influence in increasing the continuum of care completion rate. This has also been considered helpful in the achievement of the targets of all three components of maternal health services.