Postpartum concerns: a study of Tanzanian mothers

Maternal and child health services in Tanzania have succeeded in implementing health care strategies to improve the health of children under 5 years of age. However, health care for childbearing women has not been a focus (Government of the United Republic of Tanzania/UNICEF, 1990). We examined what Tanzanian women perceive as concerns during the early postpartum period. A card sort was used with 50 primiparas and 50 multiparas from the Dar-es-Salaam urban area. Primiparas had significantly more worries and interests than did multiparas. Multiparas had significantly more confidence than primiparas had. Findings correspond to those of studies conducted on North American populations, suggesting that early postpartum concerns may be cross-cultural.