POSTNATAL CARE AMONG POSTPARTUM WOMEN DURING HOSPITAL DISCHARGE

The postpartum period is the most important part of the woman's health care, as serious and life-threatening complications can occur during this period. The purpose of this study was to gather information on women's perception regarding postnatal care. The study enrolled 100 postpartum women who attended all the postnatal services at the Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic in Pristina, Kosovo. Data were collected by a modified questionnaire, which included sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, and women's perception of postnatal care. Frequencies and Chi square were determined using the SPSS software. Most of the respondents (57.0%) belonged to the age group of 31-40 years. The majority of respondents (52.0%) were from rural areas, with secondary school (42.0%), unemployed (62.0%) and middle socio-economic status (91.0%). Of all the postpartum women, 43.0% declared that the gynecological and ultrasonography checkup was done on the second day. A small percentage of women had symptoms of postpartum depression (16.0%), and no difference was found in the level of depression in relation to the mode of delivery. Furthermore, 78.0% of postpartum women were advised to make the next visit on the seventh day after hospital discharge. Uptake of postnatal care services was high. However, implementation of a standardized guideline is required to further advance postnatal care.