Health Facility-Related Factors and Level of Adherence to Focused Antenatal Care Guidelines Among Nurses and Midwives Working at the Selected Health Facilities at Imenti South Sub-County of Meru County
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47604/gjhs.3680Keywords:
Health Facility-Related Factors, Level of Adherence, Focused Antenatal Care, Nurses, MidwivesAbstract
Purpose: Maternal mortality ratio and morbidity remain high and one of the strategies to reduce maternal mortality ratio is the effective implementation of focused antenatal care. This study aimed to determine factors associated with adherence to focused antenatal care by nurses and midwives.
Methodology: The study adopted an analytical cross-sectional research design. It involved 55 nurses and midwives working at the antenatal clinic in the level 4 (sub-county referral) hospitals, level 3 (health centers), and level 2 (dispensaries) in selected health facilities at Imenti-South sub-county facilities of Meru County. A census was done on all nurses and midwives working at selected health facilities in the Imenti-South Sub-County of Meru County. Data was collected using an observational checklist and a researcher-administered questionnaire. Pre-testing of the data collection instruments was done at public health facilities in the Imenti-central Sub-county of Meru County. Analysis was carried out using SPSS version 27. Descriptive statistics i.e. mean, standard deviation, percentages, and frequencies were used to analyze data. Quantitative data is presented in the form of tables, charts, and graphs.
Findings: There were slightly more participants with good adherence to FANC guidelines (50.9%) than those with poor adherence (49.1%). Adherence was significantly associated with the level of the facility (χ2 = 9.894, df=2 and p = 0.007) although it was not a significant predictor of adherence (p>0.05). There was a significant association between adherence and availability of resources (p= 0.012, COR= 4.364; CI = 95% 1.383,13.772).
Unique Contribution: The MCH unit in charge should ensure that departments have the necessary resources required to offer the ANC services. The county government in collaboration with the national government should ensure there are adequate resources in all the facilities required to offer ANC services.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Glory Kanyiri Mwiti, Prof. Lucy Gitonga PhD, Dr. Beth Gichobi PhD, Dr. Gilford Mutwiri Mwikamba
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