Identification of Mothers? level of knowledge regarding the need for care in the postpartum period

Postpartum period is the six-week period following the delivery of the child. This six-week is a new and complicated period requiring the adjustment of the mother, the baby, and the family. Many babies and mothers lose their lives in the postpartum period; however, an appropriate postpartum care can prevent most of the deaths happening in this period.This study aiming to identify the level of postpartum mothers? knowledge was conducted in the obstetrics and gynecology clinics of Balcalı Hospital at the University of Çukurova between November 2009 and January 2010. In line with this purpose, the data were collected through a questionnaire prepared by the researcher (Appendix 1).The average age of the participants is 29,1± 5,8, the average age for the first pregnancy is 22,8±5,1 and the average of the total number of pregnancies is 2,76±1,7. Of the women participating in the study, 22, 9 % of them are in the risk group due to their age (?18 -?35) and 24,5 % of them due to the number of pregnancies (?4) . Of the participants, 23,9 % have an unwanted pregnancy and 30,3 % of those having an unwanted pregnancy were reported to use a traditional family planning method. The percentages of women?s correct knowledge about the self care in the postpartum period are as follows: the time for a sexual intercourse in postpartum: 85,4 %, breast care: 75,69 %, bleeding/infection: 65,20 %. As for the questions correctly responded about the baby care in the postpartum period, the percentages are as follows: the right time to start giving additional nutrition: 82,8 %, breastfeeding/hepatitis: 63,2 %, and evacuation/urine: 28,3 %.It was found that women gave more correct answers to the questions related to their babies than the questions related to themselves. When the source of their knowledge and ?right mother and right baby? findings were analyzed, it was found that they learned from the healthcare personnel, their families, relatives/environment and from the mass media. There was a statistically significant difference between the responses given by the mothers. A statistically significant difference was detected between the responses about themselves and the source of information (p<0,05).Findings show that 37,5 % of the participants get information from their families (n=36), 34,4 % from health personnel (n=33), 13,5 % from their relatives/environment (n=13), 9,4 % from the mass media (n=9), and 5,2% from the traditional practices (n=5). Mothers participating in the study stated that they would carry out any practice that they did not hear about the issues related to baby care in postpartum period: eyes: 27,1 %, moniliasis: 26,0 %, diaper rash: 26,2%, cradle cap: 27,7 %, cord care: 31,4 % .This study indicates that women in the postpartum period give more importance to their husbands and children than themselves and get information from their families about the things they are doing. Besides, even if not knowing the appropriateness of the practices, mothers participating in the study stated that they would use the same methods in a similar case.Key Words: Postpartum Period, Traditional Practices, Causes of Mother Deaths