Factors Influencing the Sustainability of Universal Health Coverage in Vulnerable Livelihoods in Kenya: a Case of Wajir County

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate the factors influencing the sustainability of universal health coverage in vulnerable livelihoods in Kenya: a case study of Wajir County. The specific objectives were to assess the influence of resource mobilization on sustainability of universal health coverage in vulnerable livelihoods in Kenya, to establish the influence of stakeholder engagement on sustainability of universal health coverage in vulnerable livelihoods in Kenya, and to determine the influence of monitoring and evaluation on sustainability of universal health coverage in vulnerable livelihoods in Kenya. The study used descriptive research design. This method of research was preferred because the researcher is able to collect data to answer questions concerning the status of the subject of study. The target population was beneficiary households, universal health care workers, and local leaders in Wajir County. The target population of beneficiaries estimated at 677. This study adopted the stratified sampling technique. Stratified sampling is a probability sampling technique wherein the researcher divides the entire population into different subgroups or strata, then randomly selects the final subjects proportionally from the different strata. From the possible target population of 677, stratified random sampling was employed to select a total of 204 sample population. A questionnaire was used to collect primary data. The questionnaire comprised of questions, which sought to answer questions related to the objectives of this study. The data for the study was analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively. The data collected was keyed in and analyzed with the aid of SPSS. The Quantitative data generated was subjected to the descriptive statistics feature in SPSS to generate mean, and standard deviation which was presented using tables, frequencies and percentages, while Qualitative data consist of words and observations, not numbers. The study established that resource mobilization influence sustainability of Universal Health Coverage. The study found that stakeholder engagement influence sustainability of Universal Health Coverage. The study also established that the government provides a legal framework for ensuring a health care delivery system that is driven by the people while bridging the gap on geographical access by providing for a devolved system of governance. The study established that monitoring and evaluation influence sustainability of Universal Health Coverage. The study also found that effective monitoring and evaluation systems for sustainability of universal health coverage begin by conducting a readiness assessment to set the baseline. The study concluded that various stakeholders, the government of Kenya has over the years initiated policy reforms and strategies earmarked towards universal health coverage. The study also concluded that the government provides a legal framework for ensuring a health care delivery system that is driven by the people while bridging the gap on geographical access by providing for a devolved system of governance. The study concluded that effective monitoring and evaluation systems for sustainability of universal health coverage begin by conducting a readiness assessment to set the baseline. The study recommended that Kenya’s state department for health and the county governments should focus on investments in Universal health care through mobilization of resources to improve county health centre readiness scores so as to achieve equitable access to skilled delivery services across the country. The government should involve every stakeholder in the health sector through training and provision of education on Universal Health Care.