| dc.description.abstract | Maternal care is described as regular clinical and nursing care recommended for women of reproductive age during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum. The maternal mortality rate in Trans Nzoia County, particularly at Kapkoi Health Center, was alarmingly high in 2018, contributing to 19.5% of total maternal deaths in the county. A comparative analysis of health centres in the sub-county for 2017-2018 revealed that Kapkoi Health Center consistently had low maternal health indicators, with only 24% of women using antenatal care, 25% for skilled delivery, and 24% for postnatal care. The study sought to establish determinants of utilization of maternal healthcare services among women of reproductive age (15-49 years) seeking maternal healthcare services within Kapkoi Health Center. Specific objectives were socio-demographic, client and client determinants of utilization of maternal healthcare services among women of reproductive age (15-49 years). The study adopted cross-sectional design. A simple random sampling technique was used to select respondents who visited the facility during the study period. The study sample consisted of 266 women of reproductive. The data was collected using simple structured questionnaire and focused group discussion guide. The descriptive result shows more the majority of study respondents had primary education 47.0% (125), a significant portion of the respondents were aged between 20-35 years 53.4% (142).The study used Chi-square test to determine associations between utilization of maternal services and demographic, client and health provider determinants. The significant demographic determinants of maternal healthcare services were education (χ2=1.5343 df=3 p=0.037), age (χ2=18.143 df=2 p=0.016), gravidity (χ2=48.553 df=1 p=0.028), while no significant result were marital status (χ2=6.639 df=3 p=0.084) and occupation (χ2=3.010 df=3 p=0.536). The significant determinants of maternal healthcare services utilization for client determinants were religious practices (χ2=0.198 df=4 p=0.034), cultural practices (χ2=2.786 df=4 p=0.043) and perception (χ2=2,446 df=4 p=0.001), while no significant result were knowledge (χ2=0.198 df=4 p=0.978) and distance to the facility (χ2=6.315 df=4 p=0.177). Results provided by the respondents regarding healthcare provider determinants with significant results were quality of skilled personnel (χ2=17.897 df=4 p=0.046) and attitude of healthcare provider (χ2=6.345 df=4 p=0.026) while no significant determinants were availability of skilled personnel (χ2=14.567 df=4 p=0.567). In conclusion, the study highlights the critical influence of skilled personnel availability, service quality, and healthcare provider attitudes on maternal healthcare utilization among women of reproductive age, with postnatal women showing more positive perceptions quality of service offered. The findings emphasized the need for healthcare facilities and policymakers to prioritize improving quality of maternal services by addressing variations in provider attitudes and promoting patient-centred care to enhance maternal healthcare utilization and improve maternal and child health outcomes. More efforts should focus on enhancing healthcare provider attitudes and promoting patient-centred care during both antenatal and postnatal care to improve women's utilization of maternal healthcare services. Investment in the quality of maternal services, targeted information campaigns to address cultural and religious beliefs, awareness promotion of free maternal services, tailored interventions for antenatal and postnatal respondents, and addressing distance barriers to healthcare utilization are essential steps to enhance maternal healthcare access and quality of care. | en |
