
Quality of care and utilisation of MCH and FP services at Kenyan health facilities
Author(s) -
Lewis Ndhlovu
Publication year - 1999
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Reports
DOI - 10.31899/rh1999.1017
Subject(s) - quality (philosophy) , context (archaeology) , health care , kenya , family planning , business , medicine , health services , reproductive health , nursing , environmental health , family medicine , population , economic growth , geography , political science , research methodology , philosophy , archaeology , epistemology , law , economics
Quality of services is playing an increasingly important role in many family planning (FP) programs. In 1995, a national Situation Analysis Study of 254 health facilities was conducted in Kenya to assess the status and quality of FP services in the country. An in-depth survey of a subsample of 28 health facilities was conducted the following year. From these facilities, 1,834 women were interviewed about their experiences with services at facilities when they sought antenatal, child health, and FP services. The goal of the survey was to examine the links between quality of care in FP services and contraceptive behavior. A key focus was directed at information and counseling as elements of service quality. Further, the subject of quality was explored in the context of how women switched facilities for the same and different services of antenatal care, child health, and FP. As noted in this report, this study highlights the gap that exists in the provision of quality reproductive health services. Despite the call for client-centered services, there is evidence that a wide gap still remains in providing relevant information to clients.