A scorecard for assessing functionality of community health unit in Kenya.

INTRODUCTION: In 2005, Kenya's Ministry of Health (MOH) in its quest to improve health outcomes developed the Community Health Strategy (CHS) as a key approach. The MOH and partners grappled with the challenge of managing the functionality of the Community Health Units (CHUs). Amref Health Africa in Kenya developed a replicable CHUs Functionality Scorecard for measuring and managing the functionality of CHUs. METHODS: We designed and piloted the CHU Functionality Scorecard at 114 CHUs in Rift valley province in Kenya. The scorecard categorized CHUs as Functional, Semi-functional, or Non-Functional. We used before and after design to assess the functionality of the CUs. RESULTS: Over seven quarters (January 2012 to September 2013). The proportion of functional CHU increased from 3.5% to 82.9%, Semi-Functional reduced from 39% to 13% while Non-Functional reduced from 58% to 4%. The greatest improvements were noted in Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) receiving stipends, CHVs with referral booklets, monthly dialogue days, actions planning, chalk boards, and CHVs reporting rates. CONCLUSION: The CHU functionality scorecard is a valuable tool for the management of performance, resource allocation, and decision making. We recommend the adoption of the Functionality Scorecard by the Kenya Government for country-wide application. We recommend: further work in defining Advanced Functionality and incorporating the same into the scorecard; and implementation research on long term sustainability of CHUs.

Determinants of male partner involvement in promoting deliveries by skilled attendants in Busia, Kenya.

A cross-sectional study covering 380 male partners and their spouses was conducted in Busia district in Western Kenya to establish demographic, socio-economic and cultural factors that affect male partner participation in promoting deliveries by skilled attendants. The study showed a significant relationship between level of education (P=0.0000) and level of income (P=0.0004) of the male partner and his support for skilled delivery. Lack of knowledge by male partners of complications associated with delivery, cultural beliefs, high fees charged for deliveries at health facilities and "un-cooperative" health workers are major contributing factors to low male partner involvement in child birth activities. Improving the levels of education and income of male partners, addressing the cultural beliefs and practices, improving health care provider-client relationship and sensitizing men on complications associated with pregnancy and child birth can contribute significantly in enhancing male partner involvement in promoting deliveries by skilled attendants.