The Role of Beyond Zero Campaign in Improving Maternal Healthcare: A Case Of Isinya Health Centre, Kenya

Abstract

For many decades, maternal and child health (MCH) has been recognized as a global concern. Mobile clinics are a key strategy in improving maternal healthcare services. To enhance government initiatives targeted at lowering deaths among MNCH, the Beyond Zero campaign was introduced in Kenya. The question remains if the initiative has improved maternal healthcare. The study sought to assess the role of the Beyond Zero campaign in improving maternal healthcare: a case of Isinya Health Centre, Kenya. The objectives of the study included: determining the perception of mothers on the Beyond Zero Campaign, establishing the effect of the Beyond Zero campaign in improving maternal healthcare, examining the challenges faced while providing the Beyond Zero campaign in improving, and lastly, strategies for improving maternal healthcare through the Beyond Zero campaign, Kajiado County. The population of the study was 104,860 women who were accessing maternal healthcare services from Kajiado East Sub- County and the target population was 100 women who were 18-49 years attending Isinya Health Center. It adopted a descriptive research design in that included both quantitative and qualitative data to assess the role of the Beyond Zero Campaign in improving maternal healthcare using cluster and purposive sampling methods. The sample size was 100 respondents, women of 18-49 years, in addition to 8 key informants and a focus group discussion of six participants. Data was collected using questionnaires, interview guides, and focus group discussion, and was analyzed using thematic analysis, Excel 2019, and SPSS version 26.0. Findings revealed that the 97.8% of the respondents were aware of the Beyond Zero campaign at Isinya Health Centre and perceived that the Beyond Zero campaign had helped them in skilled delivery, helped them understand more about SRH, remember immunization and health information, FP, exclusively breastfeed children and helped them in PMTCT The campaign had a multifaceted effect including immunization, increased knowledge about dangerous signs during pregnancy, exclusive breastfeeding, and involvement of partners in issues of reproductive health. However, the study encountered challenges while providing the services, which included a shortage of doctors and nurses at 33.3%, and a shortage of drugs and infrastructure at 44.4%. It was concluded that FP and immunization were the most accessed services at 77.8% and 76.7%; however, 36.7% have not accessed ANC services. On the issue of maternal immunization, 90% of the respondents held a negative perception. Strategies required to improve maternal health included enhancing and broadening the maternal healthcare services to include the importance of ANC and maternal immunization in the health talks during outreaches, an increase number of doctors and nurses, an increase of drugs and infrastructure and maintaining a consistent schedule and location. .