DETERMINANTS OF SKILLED BIRTH ATTENDANT SERVICE UTILIZATION:AN ANALYSIS OF SERVICE PROVIDER FACTORS AT KAPSABET COUNTYREFERRAL HOSPITAL, NANDI COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

A Skilled Birth Attendant (SBA) is an accredited health professional, such as a nurse or midwife,
trained and equipped to manage normal pregnancies, childbirth, the immediate post-natal period,
and the referral of complications in women and newborns. The quality of services provided by
SBAs aims to ensure sufficient and safe care during childbirth. This study employed a descriptive
survey design to identify service provider factors influencing the utilization of SBA services
among women at Kapsabet County Referral Hospital, Nandi County. A sample of 377 women of
reproductive age was randomly selected from a catchment population of 13,638 women. Of the
participants, 187 were seeking antenatal care services, and 190 sought post-natal services.
Additionally, 23 nurses providing maternal health care services in the facility were purposively
selected for the study. Quantitative data were collected using structured questionnaires and
analyzed using descriptive statistics, with findings presented in tables, pie charts, and graphs. The
study results showed that the service providers’ attributes, such as knowledge and skills in maternal
services, competencies, attitudes, motivation levels, conduct, and experience, significantly
influenced the utilization of SBA services among women of reproductive age in the health facility.
It is recommended that the Department of Health, Nandi County, address issues related to service
provider welfare, specialized training, and the employment of adequate personnel to improve the
quality of maternal health care services and promote customer satisfaction. Further research is
recommended to establish effective strategies to enhance and sustain the utilization of SBA
services among women at Kapsabet County Referral Hospital for better health outcomes during
pregnancy, labor, and childbirth.