| dc.description.abstract | The aim of this project research was to study determinants of maternal child health projects
implementation in Mombasa County. This research sought to achieve four objectives. The
objectives focused on four independent variables of financial resources, hospital infrastructure,
technology and socio-cultural factors. The study dependent variable was successful maternal
child health projects implementation. Cross sectional descriptive survey design was utilized with
a questionnaire as the data collection instrument. The study targeted women of child bearing age
in Likoni and Changamwe sub counties of Mombasa. Quantitive and qualitative data was
collected, cleaned and entered in Statistical Package for Social Scientist software. Data analysis
using descriptive statistics, frequency tables and percentages was run through the software. Test
of significance using Chi-square was run to determine statistical significance between the
observed and expected distribution frequencies based on the alternative hypothesis. The result
indicates that financial resources, solid infrastructure, appropriate technology have a positive
influence on successful implementation of these projects. Negative socio-cultural habits hinder
successful maternal child health projects implementation in Mombasa County. Under financial
resources, 64.5 % of the respondents indicated that the county government was not allocating
additional funds to support maternal child health projects. 67.7% of the respondents had not seen
any change in number of maternal wards in their areas. 64.5% of the sample reached agreed that
technology is essential in improvement of maternal child health services delivery. However 45.2
had not interacted with any appropriate health technology in their interface with services
delivery. 96.7% of the respondents believed socio-cultural factors have hindered maternal child
health projects implementation success. 78 % cited religion and traditions as the main aspect of
social- cultural challenges. Financial resources are key contributors of maternal child health
project success World Health Organization has reported that increased funding of essential health
services in Sub-Saharan, Asia and Latin America has led to improved maternal-child health. In
Kenya, the ongoing health services devolution has isolated the commensurate funding and thus
the challenges in service delivery. The study shows that the County Government of Mombasa
has not developed modern, well equipped maternities and child welfare clinics. Infrastructure
development has been cited as a key stimulant of health services uptake. Though most
respondents cited technology as key to service delivery efficiency, majority had not interacted
with such appropriate technology. Modern medicine requires technological interface to improve
diagnosis, treatment and care. Technology has been shown to improve efficiency of service
delivery and greatly reduce cost and thus affordability. Traditional values, religious doctrines and
gender roles were highlighted as the main socio-cultural influences. Negative culture hinders
service delivery and should be negated through mass education on alternative rites. The County
Government of Mombasa and maternal child health services providers need to; progressively
increase funding to maternal and child health services. In line with the funding, equip public
health facilities with appropriate technology on diagnosis, treatment and care. More facilities
need to be availed to improve accessibility by the public. Community education campaigns on
alternative rites should be designed and executed by the county management and health services
providers through folk and mass media. Positive cultural aspects should be reinforced. The
researcher recommends a detailed multi-disciplinary study in all the six sub counties of
Mombasa in order to provide an insight to drive county and National government maternal child
health policies. | en_US |
