الفهرس 
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Abstract
Postnatal care is a fundamental maternal and child health service, although its utilization and adherence are notably unsatisfactory and a significant variation is evident in Sub-Saharan countries. Adherence to postnatal care services utilization is significant for the well-being of mothers and newborns since it provides a platform for the surveillance of postnatal-related complications. However, it is subjected to and determined by a wide range of factors that are recognized as important determinants. Identifying, examining, and exploring these factors is the first step in determining strategies to reduce as well as prevent maternal and newborn-related complications.
This study aimed to determine the factors associated with puerperal women’s adherence to the utilization of post-natal care services in Moshi Municipality, Tanzania.
The study comprised a convenient sample of 360 women attending the outpatient infant immunization clinics of four health facilities in Moshi municipality.
Three tools were utilized by the researcher to gather the required data: Tool one: Puerperal women’s socio-demographic and reproductive history structured interview schedule, which was established by the researcher and involved 2 parts: socio-demographic characteristics of women and their reproductive history. Tool two: Women’s satisfaction with postnatal care structured interview schedule, which was adapted by the researcher and comprised 39 items covering 6 domains. Tool three: Puerperal women’s utilization of postnatal care services assessment sheet, which was established by the researcher and involved 2 parts: Health services utilization-related data and adherence to postnatal visits schedule based on WHO recommendations.
A pilot study was carried out on 36 women (excluded from the study subjects) to ascertain the clarity, and applicability of the study tools as well as to identify the obstacles that may be faced during data collection. Following this pilot study, the tools were rechecked, rebuilt, and prepared for use.
Data collection covered 3 months starting from the beginning of June 2023 till the end of August 2023, 5 days/week; 6 women /day. Data were collected during working hours, and interview each woman spent 25-30 minutes.
The obtained data were classified, coded, computerized, tabulated, and analyzed, using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23 program.
The main findings of the study were:
Socio-demographic characteristics:
The age of the majority of puerperal women (84.2%) was 20 to less than 35 years old and their mean age was 27.99 ± 5.69 years.
A sizeable proportion of puerperal women were married (71.1%) and their age at marriage or co-habiting was of 20 to less than 35 years (77.9%).
More than one-third (37.5% & 35.5%) of puerperal women had primary as well as ordinary and advanced levels of education respectively.
More than three-fifths (63.3%) of puerperal women were working, mainly workers (41.2%) and merchants (33.8%).