Delivering contraceptive vaginal rings: Review of postpartum service packages in Kenya

The postnatal period is a critical phase in the lives of mothers and newborn babies. Most maternal and infant deaths occur during this time. Yet this is the most neglected period for the coverage and provision of quality care. The health system building blocks of the WHO health systems model were applied in describing the status and health system structures that support the provision of postpartum and postnatal care services in Kenya. The purpose of this approach was to ensure that important aspects of the provision of postpartum care and postnatal care services are assessed as comprehensively as possible. The components assessed are leadership or governance service delivery health worker force information medical products and financing mechanisms. Highlights of best practices in postpartum care are presented. Five examples are described: (a) Post-Partum Intrauterine Contraceptive Device (PPIUCD) in Eastern Province Kenya (b) Using community midwives to provide postpartum and postnatal care (c) Best Practices from the MCHIP/Kenya Program Experiences (d) Integrating STIs/RTIs into Postnatal care (e) Integrating tuberculosis screening and detection in postpartum and postnatal care. (excerpt)