Strengthening Maternal and Child Health Systems through Digital Tools and Task Sharing: Evidence from Rural Kenya  

作　　者：Micah Matiang’i Priscillah Ngunju Eefje Smet Jose Sluijs Paul Odhiambo John Otieno Lydia Odek Chris Mwendwa Frank Namwaya Pascal Riungu Micah Matiang’i;Priscillah Ngunju;Eefje Smet;Jose Sluijs;Paul Odhiambo;John Otieno;Lydia Odek;Chris Mwendwa;Frank Namwaya;Pascal Riungu(School of Medical Sciences, Amref International University, Nairobi, Kenya;Amref Health Africa, Leiden, Netherlands;Firstdata Research Consultants Limited, Nairobi, Kenya)

机构地区：[1]School of Medical Sciences, Amref International University, Nairobi, Kenya [2]Amref Health Africa, Leiden, Netherlands [3]Firstdata Research Consultants Limited, Nairobi, Kenya

出　　处：《Open Journal of Clinical Diagnostics》2024年第4期55-69,共15页临床诊断学期刊(英文)

摘　　要：The study evaluated the impact of digital health tools, task sharing, capacity building, and maternal health financing on Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (MNCH) systems in Kisii, Kajiado, and Migori counties in Kenya, under the Tekeleza project1. It aimed to assess how these interventions influenced MNCH service uptake, outcomes, and referral systems, using a mixed-methods approach with data from healthcare providers, community health promoters, and mothers. Findings showed that digital tools like the LUCY App improved coordination and maternal care but highlighted the need for better app features and wider access. Task sharing in areas like sonography enhanced service delivery but required stronger stakeholder engagement. Capacity-building through training was crucial for skill development, though additional training on emerging health issues was needed. Financial interventions, such as the Linda Mama program, boosted service uptake, but reimbursement processes needed improvement. Strengthening referral systems between lower- and higher-level facilities was identified as essential for timely access to care. The study concludes that integrating digital tools, expanding task sharing, enhancing training, and reinforcing health financing and referral systems are critical for strengthening MNCH services in rural Kenya, with broader implications for similar low-resource settings.The study evaluated the impact of digital health tools, task sharing, capacity building, and maternal health financing on Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (MNCH) systems in Kisii, Kajiado, and Migori counties in Kenya, under the Tekeleza project1. It aimed to assess how these interventions influenced MNCH service uptake, outcomes, and referral systems, using a mixed-methods approach with data from healthcare providers, community health promoters, and mothers. Findings showed that digital tools like the LUCY App improved coordination and maternal care but highlighted the need for better app features and wider access. Task sharing in areas like sonography enhanced service delivery but required stronger stakeholder engagement. Capacity-building through training was crucial for skill development, though additional training on emerging health issues was needed. Financial interventions, such as the Linda Mama program, boosted service uptake, but reimbursement processes needed improvement. Strengthening referral systems between lower- and higher-level facilities was identified as essential for timely access to care. The study concludes that integrating digital tools, expanding task sharing, enhancing training, and reinforcing health financing and referral systems are critical for strengthening MNCH services in rural Kenya, with broader implications for similar low-resource settings.

关 键 词：Digital Health Tools Task Sharing Maternal Health Financing Referral Systems 

分 类 号：TP3[自动化与计算机技术—计算机科学与技术]