A framework to improve postnatal care in Kenya

Abstract

Abstract: The study was conducted in three phases between August 2011 and March 2014. The aim of the study was to develop a framework to improve postnatal care in Kenya. Objectives: The specific objectives of this study were to:Determine the current state of postnatal care in Kenya ,identify strategies that can be employed in Kenyan hospitals to improve postnatal care and develop a Framework that will aid in improving postnatal care in Kenya. Methods: This study was done in three phases. Phase 1 was the determination of factors contributing to the current state of postnatal care services in Kenya .Data collection during this phase was accomplished through a self-administered questionnaire by 258 midwives plus a checklist used in 37 hospitals to assess the availability of physical resources required in the provision of postnatal care.The Nominal Group Technique was used among 13 Reproductive health coordinators in phase 2 to identify the strategies they deemed if employed would improve postnatal care in Kenyan hospitals .The third phase was to develop a Framework to aid in improving postnatal care in Kenya. Results: Shortage of midwives exists in all the hospitals, Midwives received incomplete orientation on being posted to the maternity units/postnatal wards, Policies and guidelines were inaccessible and that cultural and religious beliefs of clients were deemed to have some influence on the provision of the postnatal care. The identified strategies in phase 2 were capacity building, data management, quality assurance human resource management, supportive supervision and coordination of postnatal care services Conclusion: A framework to improve postnatal care was developed