The Extended Role of Health Facility Cleaners in Maternity Care in Kenya
- 1 January 2020
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Guttmacher Institute in International Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health
- Vol. 46, 1-7
- https://doi.org/10.1363/46e8320
Abstract
CONTEXT: A growing body of evidence indicates that nonclinical health care facility staff provide support beyond their traditional roles, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. it is important to examine the role of health facility cleaners in Kenya from their perspective to better understand their actual and perceived responsibilities in maternity care. METHODS: In-depth, face-to-face interviews using a semistructured guide were conducted with 14 cleaners working at three public health facilities in Nairobi and Kiambu Counties, Kenya, in August and September 2016. Results were coded and categorized using a thematic content analysis approach. RESULTS: Cleaners reported performing a range of services beyond typical maintenance responsibilities, including providing emotional, informational and instrumental support to maternity patients. They described feeling disrespected when patients were untidy or experienced bleeding; however, such examples revealed cleaners' need to better understand labor and childbirth processes. Cleaners also indicated a desire for training on interpersonal skills to improve their interactions with patients. CONCLUSION: Cleaners' direct involvement in maternity patients' care is an alarming symptom of overburdened health facilities, insufficient staffing and inadequate training. This key yet overlooked cadre of health care staff deserves appropriate support and further research to understand and alleviate health system shortcomings, and to improve the quality of maternity health care provision.This publication has 11 references indexed in Scilit:
- Perceptions of women on workloads in health facilities and its effect on maternal health care: A multi-site qualitative study in NigeriaMidwifery, 2017
- Striving for Respectful Maternity Care EverywhereMaternal and Child Health Journal, 2016
- Does theJanani Suraksha Yojanacash transfer programme to promote facility births in India ensure skilled birth attendance? A qualitative study of intrapartum care in Madhya PradeshGlobal Health Action, 2015
- Perceptions of health care providers and patients on quality of care in maternal and neonatal health in fourteen Bangladesh government healthcare facilities: a mixed-method studyBMC Health Services Research, 2015
- Exploring the Prevalence of Disrespect and Abuse during Childbirth in KenyaPLOS ONE, 2015
- The expected and actual communication of health care workers during the management of intrapartum: An interpretive multiple case studyAfrican Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine, 2015
- Disrespectful and abusive treatment during facility delivery in Tanzania: a facility and community surveyHealth Policy and Planning, 2014
- Determinants of social desirability bias in sensitive surveys: a literature reviewQuality & Quantity, 2011
- The persistence and challenges of homebirths: perspectives of traditional birth attendants in urban KenyaHealth Policy and Planning, 2008
- From social integration to health: Durkheim in the new millenniumSocial Science & Medicine (1982), 2000