Effect of engaging cultural institutions and culturally-sensitive facility-based delivery on maternal and newborn health service utilization in Garissa, Baseline Survey

The “Afya Kwa Ukoo” project is a collaborative formative study between the African Population Health and Research Center (APHRC), Sisters Maternity Home (SIMAHO) and Preventative Health Care and Epidemiology Consultancy (PHCEC). The study aims to test strategies to promote institutional deliveries and uptake of other maternal and child health services among sedentary (pastoral dropouts) residents in Garissa in Kenya. The study will test a package of two innovative community-and facility-based interventions to: a) increase demand for maternal and new-born health services working with the traditional clan system; and b) improve the birthing experience in institutions by providing culturally and socially sensitive and acceptable delivery services at health facilities. The ultimate goal of both interventions is to reduce maternal and new-born deaths by minimizing pregnancy-related complications and ensuring proper and timely management of obstetric emergencies which are common in pregnant women who do not attend antenatal care clinics and those who deliver without skilled birth attendance.