Items (n = 46) required for ‘Good quality of PPC’

Greets the mother/companion respectfully and introduces her/himself

Tells the mother what is going to be done

Encourages the mother/partner to express her/their health

Asks the mother how she is feeling during the current postpartum period

Asks the mother whether her or the baby has had any problems since birth

Asks the mother how the baby is breastfeeding during the current period

Checks the mother’s record or asks for relevant history about her baby’s birth (date, mode, complications)

Checks the mother’s record or asks for result of her RPR test

Checks the mother’s record or asks for result of her HIV test

Checks for the mother’s PMTCT records: cluster of differentiation 4 (CD 4) count, stage of disease

Checks the mother’s record or asks for a record of her tetanus toxoid (T.T): T.T.1, T.T.2, T.T.3, T.T.4, T.T.5

Checks the mother’s record or asks for the records of her OPV, BCG and D.P.T-Hep.B+Hib (Penta valent)

Checks for drugs in use such as AZT, Vitamin A

Observes the mother’s general appearance

Uses antiseptic hand rub or washes hands thoroughly

Takes her vital signs

Checks her conjunctiva for pallor

Examines her breasts

Palpates uterus for size, firmness, and tenderness

Puts gloves on, examines perineum for amount of lochia, condition of any tears or episiotomy, haemorrhoids, or other lesions

Assesses bladder function

Performs infection prevention procedures

Checks the baby’s color

Checks the baby’s breathing

Checks the baby is able to breastfeed

Checks the baby’s temperature

Weighs the baby

Examines from head to toe, checking for abnormalities

Assesses for irritability, tearfulness, and lability of mood

Assesses for past or present history of mental health

Asks about partner’s relationship and misunderstandings

Identifies problems based on history and examination, and acts accordingly

Provides counselling about hygiene (herself and the baby)

Provides counselling about malaria prevention (use of ITN) and helminths

Provides counselling on voluntary testing of HIV (if not done before)

Observes and counsels on breastfeeding

Insists on importance of exclusive breastfeeding or alternative feeding

Provides counselling about danger signs in the newborn period

Provides newborn immunization (if not done)

Encourages mother to ask questions about newborn and answers them properly

Informs mother/father of date for next visit

Documents findings

Continually informs mother of findings

Encourages mother to ask questions and responds accordingly

Makes mother/support person feel at ease

Verbal and non-verbal communication indicates interest

Additional items (n = 13) required for ‘Excellent quality of PPC’

Encourages accompanying person to join if mother wants

Checks baby’s ability to play/move

Asks about available social support system during postpartum period

Assesses for family history of perinatal mental disorder

Provides counselling about complication readiness, including danger signs

Provides counselling about nutrition, including iron supplementation

Provides counselling about rest and sleep

Provides counselling about safer sex and sexually transmitted infections (including HIV)

Provides counselling about sexuality and sexual practice resumption

Provides immunization and preventive therapy (iron, vitamin A, TT)

Provides counselling about family planning and methods of choice

Probes the mother/support person for experiences of or exposure to domestic violence

Informs on what to do if the newborn experiences danger signs