CHALLENGES BIRTH COMPANIONS AND MOTHERS FACE ON KNOWLEDGE SHARING IN KAKAMEGA COUNTY

Abstract

Purpose of the Study: Birth Companions and expectant mothers exchange ideas and practices on maternal health and thereby learn to accommodate any changes likely to be realized during referrals. The study investigated the challenges facing knowledge sharing among birth companions on maternal health in Kakamega county on safe deliveries of children in the County. Methodology: The study used mixed method approach based on a survey design. Data was collected from 782 sampled from a population of 5768 comprising of birth companions, community health volunteers, public health officers, district health officers, matrons and director health services using questionnaires, interview and observation checklists. Qualitative data was analysed using statistical software package (SPSS) to generate descriptive and inferential statistics while the qualitative data was analysed thematically. Results: The study found out that Birth companion’s advice mothers to deliver in hospitals and ensure enhanced quality care on maternal health through referrals to health facilities. Service provided by birth companions are more hampered by cultural barriers and poor communication structures such as structures such as infrastructure and language. The birth companions faced such challenges as lack of personal protective equipment like gloves and masks. Motorbike riders did not wear masks, while some did not have helmets or provide expectant mothers with one. These challenges put mothers at risk of contracting COVID-19 and other infectious diseases, thus endangering their lives as they sought maternal health care. The study further established that 39 African Journal of Emerging Issues (AJOEI). Online ISSN: 2663-9335, Vol (5), Issue 9, Pg. 39-53 there were few uncooperative mothers who refused to go to hospital for safe delivery of their children. Birth companions also met language and cultural barriers, unclean hospitals, financial constraints, stealing of infants, fear of caesarean section by expectant mothers, illiteracy, lack of transport by expectant mothers to go to health facilities, hostile and unfriendly nurses, prolonged labour, and fear of young doctors and lack of security when walking to a health facility at night when accompanying mothers in labour pain. Conclusion: The study concludes that birth companions hold knowledge that can define key danger signs during labour and childbirth, yet lack associations where they can share, exchange, practice experiences, information and knowledge within the health system nationally, inadequate trainings to help reduce maternal and child mortality rates as envisioned in Kenya’s Vision 2030 which directly contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals. Recommendations: The study recommends improved health awareness by health managers in health institutions and remuneration for birth companions by county government. Government to develop training policies to advance knowledge sharing by BCs for improved health services and behaviour change, and that BCs to continue offering their services at grassroots as they provide a direct link between expectant mothers, health system, and partnerships both in rural and urban setup. The study is of importance to county governments to make improvements on challenges facing birth companions and mothers including other health practitioners in sharing knowledge on safe deliveries of children.