Examining the Implementation of the Free Maternity Services Policy in Kenya: A Mixed Methods Process Evaluation

  • سال انتشار: 1397
  • محل انتشار: مجله بین المللی سیاست و مدیریت بهداشت، دوره: 7، شماره: 7
  • کد COI اختصاصی: JR_HPM-7-7_004
  • زبان مقاله: انگلیسی
  • تعداد مشاهده: 145
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نویسندگان

Eric Tama

Health Economics Research Unit, KEMRI Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Nairobi, Kenya

Sassy Molyneux

KEMRI Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya

Evelyn Waweru

KEMRI Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya

Benjamin Tsofa

KEMRI Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya

Jane Chuma

Health Economics Research Unit, KEMRI Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Nairobi, Kenya

Edwine Barasa

Health Economics Research Unit, KEMRI Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Nairobi, Kenya

چکیده

Background Kenya introduced a free maternity policy in ۲۰۱۳ to address the cost barrier associated with accessing maternal health services. We carried out a mixed methods process evaluation of the policy to examine the extent to which the policy had been implemented according to design, and positive experiences and challenges encountered during implementation.   Methods We conducted a mixed methods study in ۳ purposely selected counties in Kenya. Data were collected through in-depth interviews (IDIs) with policy-makers at the national level, health managers at the county level, and frontline staff at the health facility level (n = ۶۰), focus group discussions (FGDs) with community representatives (n = ۱۰), facility records, and document reviews. We analysed the data using a framework approach.   Results Rapid implementation led to inadequate stakeholder engagement and confusion about the policy. While the policy was meant to cover antenatal visits, deliveries, and post-natal visits, in practice the policy only covered deliveries. While the policy led to a rapid increase in facility deliveries, this was not matched by an increase in health facility capacity and hence compromised quality of care. The policy led to an improvement in the level of revenues for facilities. However, in all three counties, reimbursements were not made on time. The policy did not have a system of verifying health facility reports on utilization of services.   Conclusion The Kenyan Ministry of Health (MoH) should develop a formal policy on the free maternity services, and provide clear guidelines on its content and implementation arrangements, engage with and effectively communicate the policy to stakeholders, ensure timeliness of payment disbursement to healthcare facilities, and introduce a mechanism for verifying utilization reports prepared by healthcare providers. User fee removal policies such as free maternity programmes should be accompanied by supply side capacity strengthening

کلیدواژه ها

User Fee Removal, Free Maternity Care, Policy Fidelity, Policy Implementation, Kenya

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