Abstract:
Introduction: In Ethiopia maternal mortality has been a major public health problem. Postnatal care services utilization was very low as whole. In this regard, hot spot areas were not clearly identified. Besides, there was variability in the determinants of PNC services utilization among districts of nation. Hence, to introduce locally adaptive measures, it was essential to study spatial pattern, prevalence and determinants of PNC service utilization at district level. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the spatial distribution, magnitude and determinants of postnatal care service utilization in Farta district, South Gonder Administrative Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia, in 2017Methodology:Cross sectional study was carried out among 737mothersin 11Keble’sand multi stage sampling technique was used to select the subjects. Binary logistic regression statistical model using adjusted odd ratio(AOR) and 95% CI was used to identify determinants of PNC services utilizations. Getis-Ord Gi* statistics was used to determine hot and cold spot areas of PNC service utilization status. Results: The spatial analysis showed that hot spot clusters of PNC services utilization were found in Kanat, Amjeya, Askuma, and Wokerotadiomender & Huletwanomagera Kebles and cold spot clusters of PNC services utilization were found in Lemdo-debrsena, Worken and Genamechwecha. The magnitude of PNC services utilization in Farta District was 26.19 % [95% CI: (22.8-29.2)] with variations in between Kebles. Having formal education of mother[95 % CI: 2.8(1.75-4.48)],birth at health facility [95% CI: 3.18 (1.73-5.85)],counseling given during ANC visits [(95 %CI: 5.72(3.42- 9.55)],complications during or after delivery[95%CI: 2.78(1.20-6.52)]and living with in 5km of health facility[95 % CI: 2(1.29-3.10]were identified as determinants of PNC services utilization. Conclusion and Recommendation: Spatial distribution of PNC services utilization was not randomly distributed. Having formal education, counseling during ANC and facility delivery were positively associated whereas having no complications during or after delivery and residing far from health facility were negatively associated with PNC services utilization. Tracing mechanism for reaching pregnant women should be developed and strengthened to improve counseling services at home. Frequent support and supervision for remote Kebles.