TITLE:
Stakeholders’ Views on the Strengths and Weaknesses of Family-Based Maternal Health Financing in Kisumu
AUTHORS:
Davies O. Okombo, Antony W. Odek
KEYWORDS:
Stakeholders, Maternal Care, Family-Based Maternal Health Financing, Funding Mechanisms, Health Outcomes
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.12 No.5,
May
30,
2025
ABSTRACT: Even with the commitment of pledges like Vision 2030 and Universal Health Coverage (UHC), considerably high maternal mortality is reported in Kenya. The purpose of this study was to structure stakeholders’ perspectives on strengths and weaknesses of family-focused financing for maternal health services in Kisumu County against the background of Health Belief Model and Resource Dependency Theory. The study adopted qualitative methodology with purposive selection of 150 informants through focus group discussions (FGDs) and key informant interviews (KIIs) to yield data that were thematically analyzed. Findings reveal that financing for maternal health services is mainly informal or semi-formal modes: personal savings and families’ support, or organized savings through “chamas (rotating savings groups), Male partners, extended family, community health volunteers (CHVs), church, and the local administration were identified as key stakeholders. The research found that, although formal schemes to finance maternal health care such as SHIF exist, their use is minimal, primarily due to a lack of awareness. The financial constraints prevent women, especially those from low-socioeconomic households, from timely care-seeking, while the initiative in chamas increases access to care. Ethical protocols offering informed consent and ensuring confidentiality were used to ensure that these findings arose. The family financing of maternal health care has potential; however, it is constrained by barriers linked to little use of formal financing schemes and diminishing support for CHVs role in maternal health care. The study recommends raising awareness of SHIF, including chamas in county programs, engaging males, and enhancing the work of CHVs to improve maternal health care uptake and outcomes.