Influence of transport on maternal motality a case study of Tharaka Sub-County Tharaka-Nithi County Kenya

Abstract

This study sought to explore the influence of means of Transport on maternal mortality in Tharaka Nithi District. Specifically the study sought to establish how management and operations of transportation vehicles affect maternal mortality in Tharaka Sub County, establish how mode of transportation and the conditions of the roads impact on the health of the mother and the unborn baby, examine how transportation and road infrastructure influence maternal and child mortality, establish how would improved referral system influence maternal mortality in Tharaka Sub County. The study used descriptive and exploratory research designs. The population of the study targeted, 44,000 households in Tharaka sub County, based on the census household survey of 2009.The sample size was selected using Kregen Morgan 1970 formulae in which a sample size of 7%giving a total of 204 was applied. A random approach was employed in selecting the respondents, whereby the target was 100 medical staff, 80 mothers and 24 group leaders. Questionnaires and interview schedule were used in primary data collection. Secondary data was collected through review and management records and reports and magazines. The data collected was coded and entered into Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistical analysis. Study results were presented in form of tables. This study demonstrated significant relationship between transport and maternal mortality in Tharaka Sub County. Study findings showed that majority of pregnant mothers used both motorized and non motorized means of transport to get to hospital. There was poor management of health transportation vehicles and poor states of the roads affect the movement of the mothers from their homes to hospitals. The study recommends that the government should provide funds to the ministry of health and transport for the purpose of purchasing ambulances at the County level and ensure that roads in the rural areas are properly secured to enable quick transportation. Health education should be provided in schools and during clinic days so that women understand the importance of pre and post natal care. In addition, future research should seek to understand the influence of other obstacles like education of the mother, attitude of the staff and location of health facilities onmaternal