Utilization of Free Maternity Services among Mothers Aged 18- 49 Years in Nakuru County, Kenya
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Date
2022-04
Authors
Najoli, Priscilla Jemeli
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Abstract
In response to sustainable development goal (SDG) 3,all countries were expected by
2030 to have improved maternal and neonatal health indicators.In Kenya,the hope of
free maternity services (FMS) was to increase the demand for maternity health care
services offered by certified health professionals.This,inturn would contribute to
reversing MMR and neonatal mortality and improve the uptake of skilled birth
attendance(SBA).Nakuru County has indicated poor maternal child health indicators
as demonstrated by increased MMR,neonatal mortality and low SBA.Thus,this study
aimed to determine and understand the utilization level of FMS among mothers aged
18-49 living in Naivasha Sub-County,Kenya.The research employed a crosssectional
and descriptive design that involved 392 women who utilized FMS 2018-
2019.A mixed-methods approach collected quantitative and qualitative data through
structured questionnaires,health records reviews,focus group discussions, and key
informant interviews.The quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed by use of
SPSS 20 and content analysis respectively.The results were further subjected to
multiple regression analysis.The findings showed that over 80% utilized antenatal
care, facility deliveries and postnatal care, but 68% of respondents utilized family
planning. The mothers were found active in their first, second and third pregnancies
in utilizing FMS followed by a sudden decline.The mothers preferred the public
health facilities to the private, mission and NGOs.The significant findings
influencing the utilization of FMS among the mothers were age (P=.004), the
number of children (P=.000), age at first birth (P=.025), household income (P=.008)
and residential area (P=000).The mothers in rural and periurban settings utilized the
FMS than their counterparts in the urban areas.The mothers' level of knowledge on
FMS was notably at 80%.The radio, television,health facility and community
sources were significant with (P=.000) as effective sources of information for the
mothers in the community.The decision makers consider age, the number of
children, age at first birth, household income and residential area in formulation of
FMS policies.Further,utilize relevant sources of information on FMS in the
community.
Description
A Project Report Submitted in Partial Fulfilment of the
Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Master of
Science in Public Health Systems Management and
Application in The School Of Public Health and Applied
Human Sciences of Kenyatta University
Keywords
Free Maternity, Maternity Services, Mothers Aged 18- 49 Years