The effect of Kenya’s free maternal health care policy on the utilization of skilled delivery services and maternal and neonatal mortality rates in public health facilities

Abstract

Background: Kenya abolished delivery fees in all public health facilities through a presidential directive effective on June 1, 2013 with an aim of promoting skilled delivery service utilization and reducing pregnancy-related mortality in the country. This paper aims to provide a brief overview of the free maternal health care policy’s effect on skilled delivery service utilization and maternal and neonatal mortality rates in Kenyan public health facilities. Methods: Interrupted time series analysis of skilled delivery services utilization, maternal and neonatal mortality rates two years before and after the policy intervention was carried out in 77 Kenyan public health facilities. Results: A statistically significant increase in the number of facility-based deliveries was identified with no significant changes in the rates of maternal mortality and neonatal mortality. Conclusions: The findings suggest that cost is a deterrent to skilled delivery service utilization in Kenya and thus free delivery services are an important strategy in the effort to promote the utilization of skilled delivery services; however, there is a need to simultaneously address other factors that contribute to pregnancy-related deaths when addressing maternal and neonatal mortality rates.