Maternal Health Services Component: An Evaluative Study of AMREF Community Based Health Care Project in Laini Saba, Kibera

Abstract

This research study was largely concerned with uptake of maternal health services provided by the Amref Community Based Health Project in Kibera, Laini Saba. The survey was an evaluative study based on previous evaluation reports that had been undertaken by AMREF. The study sought to understand different types of maternal health services provided, strategies used to deliver services as well as barriers hindering expectant mothers from seeking for the available services from the Amref Clinic, opting to seek for similar services from other service provider's even after receiving the antenatal care from the Amref clinic. The study adopted the survey method and a sample of 78 was selected as the study respondents. A total of 52 mothers attending antenatal and postnatal clinics were sampled and exit interviews conducted. Two focus groups comprising of 10 people each were held with community health workers and mothers who had delivered their babies through the Amref CBHC. In-depth interviews were held with 6 Key informants who gave detailed information and insights regarding the area of study. Data was collected by use of administered questionnaires. In depth interviews and focus groups discussions were conducted using informant guides. Editing of the completed questionnaires was done before coding process. The Structured and Unstructured questionnaires were coded and overall data processing done using Statistical Package Social Sciences SPSS. Grouping and coding of data was done to enable processing and tabulation. Frequencies were run and tabulation done for analysis of the responses. Multiple responses were also processed and integrated in analysis. Triangulation was done and data presented using tables, bar graphs, pie charts, doughnuts and column graphs. Percentages and table numbers were used for describing differences between variables. The study sought to find out what type of maternal services were provided by AMREF CBHC and it was found that community members who visited AMREF CHBC, a majority (65.4%) of the respondents were aware of the type of maternal health services provided by the clinic while 34.6% said that they were not. Those who said they were aware, were asked the kind of services they were seeking majority (53.8%) said they were seeking antenatal care. In identifying strategies used to deliver maternal health services, the study found that community members were involved in delivery of maternal health services by playing various roles as follows; 15.4% were involved in making referrals to AMREF CHBC; 13.5% in creating awareness on safe motherhood; 7.7% in assisting communities to access services as well as helping mothers under the home based care programs. Another 5.8% was involved in educating mothers on safe delivery while 1.9% was involved in community outreach and medical camps. Maternal services were also provided directly form the clinic for both in and out patient clients. In regard to factors contributing to uptake of maternal health services, the study found out that uptake of maternal services had improved. The clinic was now attending to 150 mothers in a month as opposed to the previous observed trend during (2001 and 2003) where the clinic registered 30 mothers in a month. The maternity wing was temporarily closed in October 2006 but was currently operating on 24 hour basis 2006 when the maternity wing was temporarily closed.