Variations in postnatal care (PNC) interventions provided to newborns in health facilities across Kakamega County, western Kenya

Abstract

Introduction: Neonatal mortality remains high globally, with Kenya reporting a rate of 20 deaths per 1,000 live births. Essential Newborn Care (ENC) is crucial for preventing neonatal deaths, yet the provision of this care for the newborns is varied.
Methods: This cross-sectional analytical study evaluated the provision of PNC-ENC across four scheduled visits in Kakamega County, Kenya. Data were collected from 325 mothers through structured questionnaires. Descriptive and inferential statistics, including ANOVA, were used to assess care provision.
Results: The overall mean provision of expected newborn interventions across the four visits was 57.82%. Provision was highest at the first visit (59.55%), declined at 2 to 4 weeks (55.16%), improved at 4 to 6 weeks (59.06%), and slightly declined at 4 to 6 months (57.50%).
Conclusions: This study highlights gaps in the delivery of essential newborn care, particularly in physical examinations. Targeted interventions, including training and resource allocation, are recommended to improve provision to PNC care interventions and reduce neonatal mortality.