Factors Affecting Self-Care of Postpartum Women with Folk Medicine: a Case Study in Paphayom District, Phatthalung Province

Abstract

This study was a cross-sectional study design with the aim to explore the factors related to self-care behavior with folk medicine among women during the postpartum period: a case study in Pa Phayom district, Phatthalung Province. Altogether 106 postpartum women were recruited. The ques­tionnaires have assessed the reliability and validity by using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient and 3 experts, respectively. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient score of knowledge self-care behavior during the postpartum period, belief in folk medicine, social support from family, and social support from public health per­sonnel were 0.8, 0.7, 0.8 and 0.85, respectively. The results were analyzed by descriptive statistics with mean, SD, min and max, and multiple logistic regression. It was found that most women reported havng antenatal cre in the hospital (77.4%), receiving health care from health personnel during preg­nancy (85.8%). In addition, they dd not have adverse effects during pregnancy (87.7%), they received information at postpartum period (84.9%) they used to think of “Ue Fai” (63.2%), exclusive breast­feeding (65.1%), and non-sterilization (69.8%). Moreover, half of them had appropriated behavior during the postpartum period. The study indicated the factors of self-care behavior with folk medicine significantly associated with sterilization (ORadj=0.22, p=0.005, 95%CI: 0.08–0.64), social support from family (ORadj=3.86, p=0.006, 95%CI: 1.46–10.19), and social support from public health per­sonnel (ORadj=3.86, p=0.001, 95%CI: 1.46–10.19). Therefore, health education program should be participated by women during the postpartum period and people close to them such as their husbands and their relatives. Furthermore, a consultation clinic should be stablished to proviode knowledge on self-care behavior during the postpartum period with folk medicine in order to chieve appropriate behavior during the postpartum period.