ISSN 2360-7920
Abstract
The millennium development goal (MDG) 5 aims at lowering the maternal mortality by 75% by 2015 from the 1990 baseline statistics. The least developed countries have made progress to achieving this goal. Kenya has not achieved this target and the maternal mortality has increased. Other the other hand, neonatal sepsis cause early neonatal morbidity and mortality while childhood vaccine preventable infections, malnutrition, HIV and malaria contribute to under five child mortalities. The role of health education cannot be overemphasized. Our study evaluated the health education to postnatal mothers at the Naivasha District Hospital, Nakuru County Kenya. The method used was a cross sectional study where 96 participants were recruited and interviewed to determine if they had been provided with the selected aspect of health education. Ethical and administrative approval was sought. We analyzed the data using SPSS Version 17. The results, 96 (vaginal delivery 66; Caesarean Section 33) participants were recruited into the study. Their mean age was 25.5years (±6.2). 5.2% were never educated while majority had been educated on at least 3 items. Caesarean Section women were less likely to receive health education. There was no association between health education and maternal, marital status, level of education. Low parity was associated with health education. The health education below optimal. Women who delivered via CS were less likely to be provided with health education.
Keywords: Health education, family planning, immunization, breastfeeding, umbilical stump, Kenya