Effect of Community Health Strategy on Utilization of Post-Partum Family Planning Services in Mwingi West Sub-Count

Abstract

World Health Organization defines Postpartum Family Planning (PPFP) as the prevention of unintended pregnancy and closely spaced pregnancies through the first 12 months following childbirth. PPFP focuses on the prevention of unintended and closely spaced pregnancies through the first 12 months following childbirth. Globally, PPFP is a key life-saving intervention for mothers and their children. PPFP averts more than 30% of maternal deaths and 10% of child mortality. The aim of this study was to measure the effect of Community Health Strategy (CHS) in utilization of PPFP among women in Kitui County-Kenya. The study used quasi experiment with one pretest and two post-test surveys conducted in both intervention and control sites. Data was collected from 422 women in each survey. Participants in intervention site received Maternal and Child Health (MCH) education including counselling on PPFP. In the control site, participants received standard MCH care provided by Kitui County government. Utilization of PPFP increased significantly by 8.9% (Z= 2.5135, P<0.05) in intervention arm-end-time survey compared to intervention arm-baseline survey. Women in intervention arm-end-term survey were 1.4 times more likely to use a modern PPFP method at 9-12 months PP compared to women at intervention arm-baseline survey [Adj. OR=1.386, P<0.05; (95% CI: 1.164-1.651)]. No significant difference was observed in utilization of PPFP in the surveys conducted in control site. CHS significantly increased utilization of modern PPFP methods among women at 9-12 moths PP in intervention site. To increase utilization of modern PPFP methods in Kenya, we recommend scaling up the CHS intervention in areas where it has not yet been implemented and supporting other CHW led interventions promoting use of modern PPFP method