FRONTIERS Projects | Acceptability and Sustainability of the World Health Organization (WHO) Antenatal Care (ANC) Package in Kenya

FRONTIERS PROJECT
Acceptability and Sustainability of the World Health Organization (WHO) Antenatal Care (ANC) Package in Kenya

Kenya’s Ministry of Health (MOH) has adapted WHO’s goal-oriented ANC package to promote maternal and child health in the Kenyan context. This package includes regular assessment and counseling to ensure normal pregnancy and facilitate early detection of problems; the Kenyan adaptation also includes measures to detect, treat, and prevent transmission of HIV and malaria. FRONTIERS worked with the University of Nairobi to assess the MOH’s ability to provide this model of care, the effect of the model on service quality and coverage, and its sustainability. The study, conducted in two intervention districts and one comparison district, showed that both clients and providers accept the approach, but revealed challenges to full implementation of the study, including inadequate provider knowledge, funding shortfalls, and training and infrastructure problems. Recommendations include involving a wider group of stakeholders—including training institutions, professional groups, and communities—in outreach about the new services, and promoting efficient organization of ANC services at delivery points.

Location

Kenya

Duration

June 2004–June 2005

Population Council researcher

Harriet Birungi

Non-Council collaborators

Institute of African Studies, University of Nairobi

Donor

US Agency for International Development

Publications/Resources
Council researchers' names appear in boldface type.

2008
Birungi, Harriet. "Adapting focused antenatal care: Lessons from three African countries," FRONTIERS Program Brief no. 11. Washington, DC: Population Council. (PDF, 1.7 MB)

2006
Birungi, Harriet and W. Onyango-Ouma. "Acceptability and sustainability of the WHO focused antenatal care package in Kenya," FRONTIERS Final Report. Washington, DC: Population Council. (PDF, 557 KB)