Health Service Delivery In Kenya

According to KDHS, 2008/09;maternal mortality statistics show upward trends in the five years period 2003/08. Key strategy to reverse the trends is by ensuring access to skilled care in pregnancy. The main objective of the study was to provide information on factors of service utilization by mothers. A cross sectional study was conducted among 208 mothers who had deliveries within a period of 12 months prior to the study using interviewer administered questionnaire. Response rates and correlations were used to determine factors influencing maternity service utilization. Analyses were conducted for responses and were summarized as frequencies,percentages and means. Findings show that poverty, Hospital factors; availability of medical supplies and quality of treatment & care had a major role in choice of delivery point. Recommendations includes; Foster partnership between TBAs and health workers to build a viable referral network,Train TBAs to handle low risk pregnancies and empowering mothers socio-economically. The study provides a feasible strategy to minimize service gaps with outcome that can be applied in policy formulation aiming at essential package for health at the community level.