Uptake of maternal services and associated factors in the western region of Kenya

Abstract

Introduction: the western region of Kenya has high early childhood mortality and maternal mortality. Maternal services have been shown to an effective strategy for reducing early childhood mortality and maternal mortality.

Methods: the study used data drawn from the 2014 Kenya Demography and Health Survey. It focuses on 1397 women who had a live birth in the five years preceding the survey. The study is guided by Anderson behavioural model. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression are used to analysis the data.

Results: almost all the women sought antenatal care (ANC) services during their most recent pregnancy. Only 20% of the women initiated ANC visits during the first trimester and 54% of the women made at least four ANC visits. Mother's education, household wealth index, county of residence and the timing of ANC visits were strongly associated with making at least four ANC visits. About 55% of the women had skilled attendance at delivery and 54% delivered in a health facility. Delivery in a health facility was influenced by the mother's education, household wealth index, type of place of residence, county of residence, timing of ANC visits and whether or not a women made at least four ANC visits.

Conclusion: the uptake of ANC services is universal in the region. However majority of the women do not start ANC visits early and do not make at least four ANC visits as recommended. Slightly over half of the women receive skilled attendance at delivery and deliver in health facilities. A number of factors are closely associated with the uptake of maternal services in the region. Concerted efforts should be made to have the majority of the women in the region to initiate ANC visits early, to make at least 4 ANC visits and to deliver in health facilities.

Keywords: Kenya; Maternal health services; associated factors; uptake; western region.