Peter Kabanya Mwaniki

Utilization of Maternal Health Services in a Rural District of Kenya Peter Kabanya Mwaniki

Over the years, Kenya has recorded poor maternal health indicators including among others a high maternal mortality rate and a declining trend in utilization of maternity services. It is estimated that the maternal mortality rate stands at 488 per 100,000 live-births making her one of the countries with highest maternal mortality rates. A survey was carried out in one of the rural districts with the aim of assessing utilization of these services in the District. This was a cross-sectional, descriptive study whose study population comprised of mothers bringing their children to the child welfare clinics following delivery in four government rural health centres of the District. A total of 200 mothers were systematically sampled on random visiting days and personal interviews carried out using a structured questionnaire. In each of the health centres, additional qualitative data was obtained using Focus Group Discussions.