FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH COMPLIANCE TO PREVENTIVE PRACTICES OF PUERPERAL SEPSIS AMONG POST-PARTUM WOMEN ATTENDING MBARARA REGIONAL REFERRAL HOSPITAL POST-NATAL CLINIC AND WARD

Abstract

The study was carried out in Mbarara RRH post-natal clinic and ward because PS was reported as a leading cause of maternal death with 30.9percent maternal deaths in 2017.The research objectives were, to describe the individual and health system related factors of the post-partum women, to determine the level of compliance to preventive practices of peurperal sepsis among post-partum women and to establish the individual and health system related factors associated with compliance to preventive practices of PS among post-partum women attending Mbarara RRH post-natal clinic and ward. The study employed a cross sectional design involving both qualitative and quantitative approaches. Quantitative data was collected from 371 post-natal women using the researcher administered questionnaires, these were randomly selected and qualitative data was collected from 06 key informants using the key informants interview guide, these were purposively selected. Quantitative data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for social Sciences at both descriptive and inferential analysis levels. On the other hand, qualitative data was analyzed using content/quotation analysis to supplement the findings in the main instruments. Education {tertiary level with adjusted odds ratio (AOR=7.204, 95% CI=1.820-28.517]), high School level with (AOR=4.777, 95% CI=1.290-17.687), primary level with (AOR=7.287, 95% CI=2.062 -25.753)}, income of less than Ushs. 100,000 per month (AOR = 5.406, 95% CI=1.100-26.580), antenatal visits of 4 or more (AOR = 2.889, 95% CI=1.397-5.974), having knowledge (AOR = 5.601 95% CI=3.177-9.877), Rude/arrogant attitude of the health workers (AOR = 0.391 955 CI=0.163-0.939), and health education (AOR = 1.569 [0.880-2.796), were significantly associated with compliance to preventive practices of PS. In conclusion, the level of compliance to preventive practices of PS among the post-partum women attending Mbarara RRH post-natal clinic and ward was relatively high. The government of Uganda through the Ministry of Health together with other stake holders should increase awareness of the preventive practices of PS among the post-partum women so as to reach the required compliance of 100 percent. The hospital can reach the women through health education via mass media like TVs, radios, music dance and drama. The management of the Mbarara RRH should sensitize health workers on the impact of being rude and arrogant towards patients and take punitive action on those unwilling to drop this vice