Maternal Service Utilization Trends in High-Burden Rural settings in Western Kenya.
1
Community Health and Development, Tropical Institute of Community Health and Development, Kisumu, Kenya
2
Health and Sanitation, Ministry of Health, Siaya, Kenya
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
The maternal mortality ratio in low -income countries was 346 per 100000 live births compared to 10 per 100000 live births in high -income countries. An estimated 87% of global maternal deaths in 2023, occurred where sub-Saharan Africa alone accounting for 70% (182,000). In Alego Usonga in Kenya, one such region where maternal health outcomes are low, a study was carried out to understand maternity services utilization among women between 2018 and 2024.
METHODS:
Data from the routine monthly reporting system of the Ministry of Health in Kenya were used to assess levels and trends in maternity service utilization. Data quality was assessed, consistency of annual reporting of live births, stillbirths and maternal deaths by facilities. The consistency between institutional and population estimates of mortality was assessed using different scenarios.
RESULTS:
General decline in skilled delivery trends in all facility types (level 5 to level 2) from 2018 to 2024. There was a rise in Maternal mortality, Level 5 facilities handled high risk cases, Still births increased, baby discharge trends reduced in 2024 implying increased neonatal complications/ deaths, weak referral systems and capacity gaps at primary levels ( 2 and 3).
CONCLUSIONS:
Lifesaving quality-improvement measures such as maternal death audits and emergency readiness are priorities. Medium-term efforts must strengthen referral networks, staffing, and service integration, while long-term investments are needed in equitable infrastructure and robust health information systems. Access alone is insufficient, quality of care, emergency responsiveness, and equitable resource distribution must become the cornerstones of maternity services lost.
The maternal mortality ratio in low -income countries was 346 per 100000 live births compared to 10 per 100000 live births in high -income countries. An estimated 87% of global maternal deaths in 2023, occurred where sub-Saharan Africa alone accounting for 70% (182,000). In Alego Usonga in Kenya, one such region where maternal health outcomes are low, a study was carried out to understand maternity services utilization among women between 2018 and 2024.
METHODS:
Data from the routine monthly reporting system of the Ministry of Health in Kenya were used to assess levels and trends in maternity service utilization. Data quality was assessed, consistency of annual reporting of live births, stillbirths and maternal deaths by facilities. The consistency between institutional and population estimates of mortality was assessed using different scenarios.
RESULTS:
General decline in skilled delivery trends in all facility types (level 5 to level 2) from 2018 to 2024. There was a rise in Maternal mortality, Level 5 facilities handled high risk cases, Still births increased, baby discharge trends reduced in 2024 implying increased neonatal complications/ deaths, weak referral systems and capacity gaps at primary levels ( 2 and 3).
CONCLUSIONS:
Lifesaving quality-improvement measures such as maternal death audits and emergency readiness are priorities. Medium-term efforts must strengthen referral networks, staffing, and service integration, while long-term investments are needed in equitable infrastructure and robust health information systems. Access alone is insufficient, quality of care, emergency responsiveness, and equitable resource distribution must become the cornerstones of maternity services lost.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
We process personal data collected when visiting the website. The function of obtaining information about users and their behavior is carried out by voluntarily entered information in forms and saving cookies in end devices. Data, including cookies, are used to provide services, improve the user experience and to analyze the traffic in accordance with the Privacy policy. Data are also collected and processed by Google Analytics tool (more).
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
