| dc.description.abstract | This was a cross sectional study of the role of microfinance services on the reproductive health of women in Kibera informal settlement. In specific, the study spught to examine the extent to which micro-finance services empower women to access reproductive health services and the forms of micro insurance packages for women of reproductive age offered by micro finance institutions in Kibera. The study was guided by the women's empowerment theory in the inquiry process.
The study informants numbering thirty (30) were purposively selected based on their membership to microfinance institutions. Key informants and. FGD participants were purposively selected. Data collection was carried out through in-depth interviews, Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and focused group discussions (FGDs). Analysis of the collected data was thematically done and verbatim approach used alongside discussions to amplify the informants' voices across the themes.
The study findings reveal that cumulative cash obtained through micro finance services has a net effect on women's empowerment. Particularly, women who gain control over their financial resources reported independence in decision making on healthcare expenditure, increased access to health unlike when they would rely on their partners to provide the money towards their healthcare needs. Additionally, the study established that microfinance institutions in Kibera support provision of health services through client fees, operational revenues and health loans or healthsavings accounts that present an appealing option to women of reproductive age in Kibera.
The study concludes that microfinance institutions that provide grants, skills training, health education, credit facilities and financial assistance for reproductive health care of women have more clients than those micro finance institutions that provide standalone services and products. The institutions with the former packages attract more women in the slums with a remarkable utilization of reproductive health packages amongst women enrolled under the same.
The study recommends a robust government policy intervention that would see microfinance institutions integrate their products with those of reproductive health for women in the slums. This needs to be complimented with the provision of financial resources and support to providers of women's health services. The micro finance institutions also need to be linked to health providers in the slums for enhanced cross reference in emergency reproductive health needs.
There is a need for a study on program approaches that can reach the vulnerable groups within the informal settlements who are still facing obstacles to both health and economic participation through microfinance institutions. The outcome will inform microfinance investments aimed at intervening amongst poor people in the informal settlement under the global health achievement program. | en_US |
