Perceived effectiveness of health education initiatives on the health status of pregnant women attending Wajir county referral hospital, Wajir county, Kenya.

Abstract

One of the main public health concerns is still maternal health, especially in disadvantaged and marginalized areas such as Wajir County in northeastern Kenya. Despite various interventions, maternal morbidity and mortality rates remain alarmingly high in this area. These adverse outcomes are largely attributed to low antenatal care (ANC) utilization, suboptimal dietary practices while pregnant, and inadequate preparedness for pregnancy outcomes. Health education initiatives have been recognized globally as key strategies to improve maternal health by empowering pregnant women with relevant knowledge, positive attitudes, and appropriate behaviors regarding pregnancy and childbirth. However, there is limited empirical data assessing how effective these health education programs are, especially within pastoralist communities like those found in Wajir County, where unique cultural and socioeconomic factors may influence health behaviors. This study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of health education interventions on the health status of pregnant women attending ANC clinics at Wajir County Referral Hospital. The research focused on three specific objectives: (1) to assess the influence of health education on the uptake of antenatal care services, (2) to evaluate its impact on dietary practices during pregnancy, and (3) to determine the extent to which health education enhances pregnant women’s preparedness for pregnancy outcomes. A descriptive cross-sectional survey approach was employed, using census sampling to include all pregnant women who attended the ANC clinic during the data collection timeframe. Data were gathered through structured questionnaires and subsequently analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 28. Both descriptive statistics and inferential tests were applied to interpret the findings. The study adhered strictly to all ethical guidelines, also permission to conduct the study was granted by the hospital administration. The results revealed low rates of ANC attendance among pregnant women, underscoring constant obstacles to receiving maternal health care in the region. Moreover, a significant portion of respondents lacked sufficient knowledge and did not practice recommended dietary habits, pointing to a critical gap in nutrition education that could potentially compromise maternal and fetal health outcomes. Despite these challenges, many women expressed a sense of preparedness for childbirth and possible complications, indicating that current health education efforts have had some positive influence in enhancing pregnancy outcome readiness. The investigation recommends a comprehensive strengthening and expansion of health education programs, with a focus on culturally sensitive messaging tailored to the pastoralist community’s unique social context. There is a need for enhanced community engagement and outreach initiatives to boost ANC service uptake and improve nutritional behaviors. Additionally, it is crucial to establish continuous monitoring and evaluation systems within health facilities to evaluate the success of health education initiatives and direct any required modifications. Building healthcare providers' capacity—especially in communication and counseling skills—is also essential to ensure that pregnant women receive clear, relevant, and actionable health information. In conclusion, despite the fact that the health education programs at Wajir County hospital have achieved some progress, more systematic, well-resourced, and culturally adapted approaches are needed to maximize maternal health outcomes and reduce preventable pregnancy-related complications in this vulnerable population.