Utilization of Maternal Health Services in a Rural District of Kenya

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.