abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine the reasons identified by Bahraini women for their attendance or nonattendance at the six week postnatal visit. A semistructured questionnaire was used to conduct an in-depth face-to-face interview with 50 Bahraini women of childbearing age. The sample was randomly selected from the delivery log of the Government Maternity Hospitals of normal deliveries during the period between May 15 and July 15, 1985. The interviews were carried out in colloquial Arabic at the women's home. The data were translated into English and coded for computerized data analysis. Content analysis was performed for open-ended questions. The Statistical Analysis System was used to obtain frequencies and to perform Chi-square tests. Fifteen (?0%) of the Bahraini women had attended postnatal care. The reasons given for nonattendance (35, or 70%) were being healthy, fear of the vaginal examination, and lack of information about the importance of the postnatal visit. There were no associations between the demographic characteristics of the women's age, duration of mar riage, education, parity, family structure, occupational status, and attendance at the six weeks postnatal visit. The investigator recommended further development of health services for women. The importance of health care providers who are aware of women's needs is emphasized.