Quality Improvement Collaborative Boosts Early Antenatal Care Attendance in Trans Nzoia County
Despite efforts in maternal and child health across Kenya in recent years, Trans Nzoia County faced a notable obstacle: only 23 percent of expectant mothers were attending their first antenatal care (ANC) visit within the recommended time frame. This shortfall not only jeopardized the health of mothers and babies but also undermined efforts to achieve comprehensive Reproductive Maternal Neonatal Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) goals.
The county has employed a concerted effort to improve early ANC attendance within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy to improve maternal and child health outcomes. Partnering with USAID AMPATH Uzima, Trans Nzoia County launched a Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) collaborative aimed at addressing the disparities and challenges hindering timely initiation to ANC services.
Through rigorous data analysis spanning from October 2023 to January 2024, it became evident that a multifaceted approach was necessary to tackle the root causes of delayed ANC initiation. Sociocultural barriers, inadequate knowledge, and healthcare system inefficiencies emerged as primary obstacles contributing to the low uptake of early ANC services.
The CQI collaborative outlined a series of targeted interventions to address these challenges comprehensively. From enhancing health education at both facility and community levels to recruiting additional staff and subsidizing the cost of essential medicines, the initiative aimed to create an enabling environment for expectant mothers to seek ANC services promptly.
Recognizing the importance of community engagement, the collaborative extended its reach beyond healthcare facilities. Community dialogue days, household health education sessions, and outreach programs in churches and social forums were initiated to dispel myths, raise awareness, and promote the importance of early ANC attendance.
To ensure the effectiveness of interventions, robust performance measurement metrics were established. These included tracking the proportion of pregnant mothers attending early ANC visits, completing subsequent ANC contacts, and ultimately, achieving skilled birth attendance.
Through collaborative action and unwavering commitment, Trans Nzoia County is charting a course towards improved maternal and child health outcomes. By prioritizing early ANC attendance and addressing the underlying barriers, the county is not only safeguarding the well-being of its residents but also advancing the broader vision of a healthier, more equitable society.