Output Based Aid (Oba) Maternal Health Voucher Scheme in Kenya : Uptake of Safe Motherhood Services in Kisumu East District

Utilization of safe motherhood services is an important maternal health indicator. This work was developed as a result of maternal health indicators in Kenya that have not improved significantly over the years despite widespread global commitment and the strides Kenya has made to the fifth millennium Development Goal. According to Kenya Demographic Health Survey (KDHS 2008/2009) 56 percent of women deliver at home in the absence of trained medical personnel and this contribute to an increase in complications and infections that could cause deaths. The report also pointed out that only 52 percent of the women had four (4) or more antenatal care visits to health facilities, while less than half received antenatal care before the 6th month of pregnancy. Key results for this study were that 61.5% of women were not knowledgeable to maternal danger signs during pregnancy, 85% of women who lived more than 6 km used health facilities for delivery, only 33 % had four or more antenatal care visits and that sudden onset of labour was the main reason given by 50.9% for home deliveries and in overall.