Factors influencing the implementation of free maternal healthcare services in Kenya: a case of public hospitals in Nairobi county
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate factors influencing implementation of free
maternal healthcare services in public hospitals in Kenya. This was a descriptive study
focusing on process of implementing and results thereof. The study was guided by the
following research objectives (i) To determine the influence of hospital infrastructure
on implementation of free maternal healthcare services in public hospitals in Kenya.
(ii) To determine the influence of resources on implementation of free maternal
healthcare services in public hospitals in Kenya. (iii) To establish knowledge of
women on implementation of free maternal healthcare services in public hospitals in
Kenya. (iv) To determine the quality of services and implementation of free maternal
healthcare services in public hospitals in Kenya. The data was collected using
questionnaire and interview schedule. Respondents included patients/ women who had
delivered in public hospitals and one mid wife from each of the study sites .Data was
analyzed through descriptive statistics using statistical package for social science
(SPSS 20) in order to give quantifiable statistics and the results done with the help of
Microsoft office excel programme and results presented in tables. Validity and
reliability of the instrument was done through content analysis and half split test to
determine whether it addressed all relevant aspects of variables. The key findings of
the study revealed that hospital infrastructure; resources have a direct effect on
implementation of free maternal healthcare services in public hospitals. While
knowledge and quality has a direct impact on whether patients will utilize free
maternity services being provided in public hospitals in Kenya. The study
recommended that the government should develop both long term and short term
strategies in implementing free maternal healthcare services in public hospitals. The
government ought to establish mechanisms which will ensure more maternity wards
are built, the number of wards should directly relate to the number of patients visiting
the facilities , the government also need to provide basic maternity equipment in all its
health centre , sub districts hospital in order to help decongest existing facilities . In
line with the government commitment through the Abuja declaration of 2001 the
government needs to allocate up-to 15% of the national budget to ministry of health.
Also the government need to employ more mid wives since the current ration stands at
1:10 against the recommended ration of 1:1 for critical patients or 1:3 for stable
patient.
Citation
Master Of Arts In Project Planning And Management Of University Of Nairobi, 2014Publisher
University of Nairobi,
Description
A Research Project Report Submitted In Partial Fulfillment Of The Requirements For The Award Of The Degree Of Master Of Arts In Project Planning And Management
Collections
- Faculty of Education (FEd) [5964]