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Peer-reviewedCC BYInternational journal of public health

Postpartum needs and experiences of young and first-time mothers in northwestern Tanzania.

  • Esther Y Shija1
  • Janeth Peter1
  • Elias C Nyanza2
  • Namanya Basinda2
  • Joseph R Mwanga1
  1. 1Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Behavioral Sciences, School of Public Health, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Mwanza, Tanzania.
  2. 2Department of Community Medicine and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Mwanza, Tanzania.
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Abstract

Objective

To explore postpartum needs and lived experiences of young and first-time mothers in northwestern Tanzania.Methods

This descriptive, phenomenological, qualitative study was conducted between April and July 2022. Participants included young mothers (<20 years old) and first-time mothers within 6 weeks postpartum. Data were collected via 20 in-depth interviews (IDIs) and seven focus group discussions (FGDs) with 42 participants from government health facilities in Mwanza City. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, translated into English, and analyzed using inductive thematic analysis.Results

The majority of participants (77.8%) were first-time mothers; 69.4% of the respondents were aged 25-35 years. Three themes emerged: postpartum needs, positive experiences, and negative experiences. Postpartum needs included informational support, psychological support, and practical assistance. Positive experiences included pride in motherhood, bonding with the infant, and increased confidence. Negative experiences included sleep disturbances, breastfeeding challenges, changes in appetite, anxiety, and emotional distress, exacerbated by limited support.Conclusion

Young and first-time mothers face significant physical, emotional, and informational challenges in the postpartum period. Strengthening social support and targeted postnatal interventions is critical to improving maternal and infant outcomes in high-burden settings.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{shija2026postpartum,
  title = {{Postpartum needs and experiences of young and first-time mothers in northwestern Tanzania.}},
  author = {Esther Y Shija and Janeth Peter and Elias C Nyanza and Namanya Basinda and Joseph R Mwanga},
  journal = {International journal of public health},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.3389/ijph.2026.1609545},
  url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42908744},
  note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Postpartum needs and experiences of young and first-time mothers in northwestern Tanzania.
AU  - Esther Y Shija
AU  - Janeth Peter
AU  - Elias C Nyanza
AU  - Namanya Basinda
AU  - Joseph R Mwanga
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/07
JO  - International journal of public health
DO  - 10.3389/ijph.2026.1609545
UR  - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42908744
AB  - Objective  To explore postpartum needs and lived experiences of young and first-time mothers in northwestern Tanzania.Methods  This descriptive, phenomenological, qualitative study was conducted between April and July 2022. Participants included young mothers (<20 years old) and first-time mothers within 6 weeks postpartum. Data were collected via 20 in-depth interviews (IDIs) and seven focus group discussions (FGDs) with 42 participants from government health facilities in Mwanza City. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, translated into English, and analyzed using inductive thematic analysis.Results  The majority of participants (77.8%) were first-time mothers; 69.4% of the respondents were aged 25-35 years. Three themes emerged: postpartum needs, positive experiences, and negative experiences. Postpartum needs included informational support, psychological support, and practical assistance. Positive experiences included pride in motherhood, bonding with the infant, and increased confidence. Negative experiences included sleep disturbances, breastfeeding challenges, changes in appetite, anxiety, and emotional distress, exacerbated by limited support.Conclusion  Young and first-time mothers face significant physical, emotional, and informational challenges in the postpartum period. Strengthening social support and targeted postnatal interventions is critical to improving maternal and infant outcomes in high-burden settings.
SN  - 1661-8564
ER  -