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Abstract:
The 2014 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey
is the first national survey to provide data
at the county level. This study uses these
data to examine regional variation and socio-
demographic inequities in maternal health
indicators in 10 counties designated by USAID
as high-priority areas for improvements in
maternal health. Using data from 3,574 women
with a birth in the past five years in high-
priority counties, this study analyzes the
prevalence and distributional patterns of
fertility risk, distance to health
facilities, antenatal care, delivery in a
health facility, and postnatal care.
This study shows large variations in maternal
health indicators across high-priority
counties in Kenya. Nairobi exceeds the
national average on all maternal health
indicators in this study, while other high-
priority counties consistently are
disadvantaged compared with Kenya as a whole
in most maternal health indicators. Kisumu
exceeds the national average in use of
antenatal care, delivery in a health
facility, and postnatal care, but not other
indicators. Nakuru has fewer women with
fertility risk and fewer women who report
that the distance they must travel to reach a
health facility is a problem. Samburu and
Baringo also have better than average use of
antenatal care and postnatal care,
respectively.
This study identifies a number of inequities
in maternal health indicators across socio-
demographic characteristics in the high-
priority counties—most in the distribution of
delivery care and least in antenatal care.
Inequities are also observed in fertility
risk and postnatal care. The most common
disparities at the county level are by
women’s education, wealth, and urban-rural
residence. Turkana shows fewer disparities in
maternal health indicators compared with
Kilifi, Kisumu, and Kitui.
Maternal Health Indicators in High-Priority Counties of Kenya: Levels and Inequities (PDF, 3739K)