Spatial Analysis of Postnatal Care Utilization in Ethiopia.

Abstract Background: PNC is the care given to the mother and her newborn baby immediately after the birth and for the first six weeks of life. This study aimed to analyze the spatial clustering of PNC utilization and identify associated factors in Ethiopia.Methodology: This study has been conducted in Ethiopia based on data obtained from EDHS 2016which mainly focused on the PNC utilization of mothers reproductive age. The risk of PNC use was also model and map using a Bayesian hierarchical spatial model under MCMC approach using R.Results: In Ethiopia, the prevalence of women’s PNC usage was found to be 9.4% with marked spatial heterogeneity. The global Morans I and Gearys C test statistics show significant spatial clustering among neighboring regions in the study area. Bayesian hierarchical model with spatial unstructured and structured effects was found to be the appropriate model.Conclusion: The prevalence of PNC utilization in the study area is significantly clustered indicating high levels in Tigray region and Addis Ababa city whereas low levels in eastern, southeastern and northern part of Ethiopia. Risk factors such as women with secondary and above educational status, richest wealth index, secondary and above educational status of husband, birth size, media exposure, employment status and at least four number of ANC visits were significantly associated with PNC utilization.