Knowledge, Attitudes, and Self‐Care Practices for the Prevention of Puerperal Sepsis and Factors of Self‐Care Practices in Peri‐Urban Areas of Dessie, Ethiopia: A Cross‐Sectional Study

ABSTRACT Background and Aims Puerperal sepsis persists as an important global public health concern. It contributes substantially to death among mothers, notably in resource‐constrained countries like Ethiopia, posing a significant challenge to attaining the Sustainable Development Goals. Despite advances in the accessibility of healthcare, a significant gap exists between knowledge, attitude, and practices, and these issues have received limited literature evidence in Ethiopia, particularly in study settings. Hence, this research focuses on assessing knowledge, attitudes, and self‐care practices toward the prevention of puerperal sepsis and factors of self‐care practices. Methods A community‐based survey was conducted among 419 postpartum women residing in peri‐urban areas of Dessie from May 1 to June 30, 2025. Participants were recruited through a systematic random sampling technique that was employed. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS version 26. The magnitude of the association was estimated using adjusted odds ratios (AORs) at a 95% confidence interval. Results In the present study, the overall prevalence of good knowledge was 198 (47.4%) (95% CI: 44.2, 50.5), favorable attitudes were 183 (43.7%) (95% CI: 42.1, 45.1), and good self‐care practice was 179 (42.7%) (95% CI: 38.0, 47.0). Secondary education (AOR = 1.93; 95% CI: 1.10, 3.40), diploma and above (AOR= 2.32; 95% CI: 1.19, 4.49), antenatal contact (AOR = 1.61; 95% CI: 1.05, 2.38), women's knowledge (AOR=1.55; 95% CI: 1.02, 2.36), and women's attitudes (AOR=2.30; 95% CI: 1.32, 5.25) were significant factors of the self‐care practice. Conclusion The overall prevalence of good knowledge, favorable attitudes, and good self‐care practices for puerperal sepsis prevention was low. Maternal educational status, antenatal care contact, women's knowledge, and women's attitudes were significant factors of the self‐care practice. Improving women's education, enhancing antenatal care contact coverage, and fostering knowledge on puerperal sepsis are recommended.