A cross-sectional mixed study of the opportunity to improve maternal postpartum care in reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health services in the Kaya health district of Burkina Faso

Objective To propose a rationale to improve maternal postpartum care in reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health (RMNCH) services. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional mixed study in the Kaya health district in Burkina Faso based on two data collection exercises conducted between December 2012 and May 2013. A household survey of 757 mothers in their first year after delivery was processed. It was complemented with a qualitative analysis using in-depth interviews with key informants, focus group discussions with mothers, and participant observation. Results Postpartum services showed serious weaknesses. Overall, 52% (n=384) of mothers did not receive any maternal postpartum care; however among them, 47% (n= 349) received infant postpartum care. Conclusion We suggest the integration of maternal postpartum care in RMNCH services as a key step to improving postpartum care. The intervention would require the overcoming of challenges related to the quality and cost of services, and to reaching the poor populations with low education and a high parity.