Vol. 1 No. 1 (2007)

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Evaluating the Impact of Maternal Care Facility Systems on Clinical Outcomes in Kenya: A Quasi-Experimental Intervention Study

Amina Hassan, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) Wanjiku Mwangi, Strathmore University Kamau Ochieng, Department of Clinical Research, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT)
DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.18956804
Published: March 4, 2007

Abstract

{ "background": "Maternal mortality remains a critical public health challenge in sub-Saharan Africa. Systemic weaknesses in care delivery at health facilities are a recognised contributor to adverse outcomes, yet robust evidence on the causal impact of facility-level systems interventions is limited.", "purpose and objectives": "This study aimed to quantify the causal effect of a structured maternal care facility systems intervention on key clinical outcomes. The primary objective was to estimate its impact on the rate of postpartum haemorrhage (PPH).", "methodology": "A quasi-experimental, difference-in-differences design was employed across 42 public health facilities. The intervention comprised a bundled package of systems strengthening: standardised clinical protocols, emergency equipment provisioning, and team-based simulation training. Control facilities continued routine care. The primary outcome was the facility-level PPH rate, analysed using a generalised linear mixed model: $\\log(E[Y{it}]) = \\beta0 + \\beta1 (\\text{Intervention}i \\times \\text{Post}t) + \\gamma X{it} + \\alphai + \\deltat + \\epsilon{it}$, where $\\alphai$ and $\\delta_t$ are facility and time fixed effects. Robust standard errors were clustered at facility level.", "findings": "The intervention was associated with a statistically significant reduction in the PPH rate. The adjusted incidence rate ratio was 0.72 (95% CI: 0.58 to 0.89), corresponding to a 28% relative reduction. Secondary analyses indicated improvements in adherence to clinical guidelines and availability of essential commodities.", "conclusion": "A targeted facility systems intervention significantly improved a critical clinical outcome. This provides causal evidence that strengthening operational systems within existing health infrastructure can enhance maternal care quality.", "recommendations": "Policy should prioritise integrated, facility-level systems strengthening bundles. Programme design should incorporate rigorous embedded evaluation to quantify health impacts and inform scale-up.", "key words": "maternal health, health systems

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Amina Hassan, Wanjiku Mwangi, Kamau Ochieng (2007). Evaluating the Impact of Maternal Care Facility Systems on Clinical Outcomes in Kenya: A Quasi-Experimental Intervention Study. African Food Systems Research (Interdisciplinary - incl Agri/Env), Vol. 1 No. 1 (2007). https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18956804

Keywords

Maternal mortalitySub-Saharan AfricaHealth systems evaluationQuasi-experimental studyClinical outcomesKenya

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Vol. 1 No. 1 (2007)
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African Food Systems Research (Interdisciplinary - incl Agri/Env)

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