Exploring Beliefs and Knowledge about Maternal Health: The Case of Women in Korogocho Slums, Nairobi

Abstract

Introduction Apart from being the leading cause of neonatal death (Ouyang et al., 2013) and maternal mortality among women in the reproductive age (Say et al., 2014), adverse pregnancy outcomes also affect the general health of the newborn (Filippi et al., 2006). Adverse pregnancy outcomes are also responsible for morbidities and debilitating disabilities such as Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), obstetric fistula and infertility (World Health Organization, 2015a). They can also negatively impact the social and economic standing of women and their families (Filippi et al. 2006; World Health Organization, 2015a). According to World Health Organization (2006; 2015b), pregnancy outcomes can be greatly improved if expectant women have adequate maternal health knowledge (MHK). Women with adequate MHK are more likely to attend the recommended minimum of four AnteNatal Care (ANC) clinics during pregnancy, deliver in health facilities under the supervision of trained healthcare practitioners, and receive Post-Natal Care (PNC) from skilled healthcare practitioners for 24 to 48 hours after delivery. Similarly, even if morbidity does occur despite the preventive action, it can be successfully managed if women have adequate MHK since they are likely to be seek treatment from skilled healthcare practitioners in a timely manner, at the onset of any illness, or as soon as any injury occurs, during pregnancy or the post-partum period (World Health Organization, 2006). Developing countries, of which Kenya is part, continue to report adverse pregnancy outcomes, including miscarriages, still-births, and neonatal and maternal deaths (World Health Organization, 2016). In 2015, more than five million miscarriages, approximately four million still-births, three million neonatal deaths, and more than 300,000 maternal deaths occurred in developing countries, (World Health Organization, 2017). More than two thirds of the adverse pregnancy outcomes occurred in Sub-Saharan Africa (World Health Organization, 2015c). For instance, developing countries accounted for approximately 99 percent of the global maternal deaths, with sub-Saharan Africa alone accounting for roughly 66 percent, followed by Southern Asia at approximately 22 percent. Similarly, more than 4.2 million miscarriages occurred in Sub-Saharan Africa (World Health Organization, 2016).