Kenya's maternal, child health/family planning programme.

Abstract

In Kenya the current emphasis of the maternal and child health and family planning program is at service delivery points. 4 strategies have been designed: 1) maternal strategy dealing with fertile and pregnant women, delivery, and ending with 2) an infant strategy which covers the 1st year of a ichild's life; 3) a toddler strategy which focuses on the preschool years; and a school-age strategy. Each of these strategies integrates promotive, preventive and curative health activities directed at improving family health activities through specific attention to the mothers, the infant and the child. Family health problems are traced back to the father when relevant. The 4 strategies are interrelated in their daily operation. 1 area whch is emphasized in the prevention of morbidity and mortality among mothers is antenatal screening at the service delivery points. The National Family Welfare Center was established in an effort to facilitate the management of the maternal and child health and family planning program. The program needs a public health approach which emphasizes the preventive aspects of health care and their effective management.