Publication:

Perinatal outcomes of free maternity services in Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital, Nairobi County, Kenya

Background The introduction of free maternity services in all public healthcare facilities in Kenya was the government’s initiative to decrease maternal morbidity and mortality and promote sustainable health for both the mother and infant. Maternal health is significant in the achievement of Government of the Republic of Kenya (GOK) vision 2030. In order to determine the level of implementation of free maternity services in Kenya, it is important to understand perinatal outcomes.

Methods The study adopted a cross-sectional descriptive survey design involving all women seeking free delivery services at Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital. Data was collected using both open-ended and closed-ended questions.

Results The study findings showed an increase in maternal seeking behaviour, increase quality of care and increase in good perinatal outcomes. Further, the study showed that although free maternity services (FMS) was literally accessible to mothers, 60.2% sought antenatal care (ANC) services in the second semester while majority failed to meet the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended number of ANC visits per cycle. The study also showed that 88.5% of the women did not suffer serious comorbidities during pregnancy. However a total of 65.4% suffered anaemia with 80% of those who suffered being primigravidae.

Conclusions The study concluded that FMS has contributed to improved perinatal outcome and it recommended that pregnant women be sensitized on the importance of seeking ANC services immediately they are diagnosed pregnant, and further that the county government of Nairobi should boost the hospitals with supplies, equipment and human resource specifically nurses, so as to cope with the increased workload.