# Barriers to Utilization of Postpartum Care Clinics Among Women Enrolled in Primary Team-Based Care in Alahsa, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

## TL;DR

This study explores why many women in Saudi Arabia don't use postpartum care services, even though they are available through team-based care programs.

## Contribution

The study identifies specific barriers to postpartum care utilization in a Saudi Arabian context and highlights the role of perception and logistics.

## Key findings

- Only 50.8% of women attended at least one postpartum clinic visit.
- Lack of awareness and feeling well were the main reasons for non-attendance.
- Most women expressed willingness to attend postpartum visits in future pregnancies.

## Abstract

Introduction

The postpartum period is a critical phase in a woman's life, marked by significant physiological and psychological changes. Despite national healthcare guidelines in Saudi Arabia recommending postpartum follow-up, utilization of these services remains suboptimal. This study aims to assess the level of postpartum care utilization and identify barriers among women enrolled in team-based care (TBC) programs at primary health centers in Alahsa, Saudi Arabia.

Methods

A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted among 372 postpartum women aged 18-45 years in Alahsa. Participants were selected using simple random sampling from those enrolled in TBC at Ministry of Health-affiliated primary health centers between 2022 and 2024. Data were collected via a validated, structured Arabic questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests.

Results

Among the participants, 168 (50.8%) attended at least one postpartum clinic visit. The leading reasons for non-attendance were the perception of feeling well (83, 25.1%) and lack of awareness about the clinic or its importance (72, 21.8%). Logistical barriers included lack of childcare (32; 9.7%), transportation issues (10; 3.0%), and time constraints (11; 3.3%). Despite these challenges, 217 (65.6%) women expressed willingness to attend postpartum visits in future pregnancies, while 114 (34.4%) remained reluctant, often due to perceived lack of need or preference for private or hospital-based care.

Conclusion

Despite the accessibility of postpartum care under the TBC model, utilization remains low due to informational gaps, misperceptions, and logistical barriers. Interventions focused on patient education, antenatal counseling, and system-level improvements are essential to enhance postpartum service uptake and improve maternal health outcomes.