Interrupted time series analysis of free maternity services policy in Nyamira County, Western Kenya

IntroductionThe Government of Kenya instituted the free maternity services (FMS) policy to improve utilization of maternal healthcare services and thus improve maternal health. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the FMS policy on the uptake of maternal health services in Nyamira County in western Kenya.MethodsAn interrupted time series study design was used to design the study and to analyze the collected data. Forty-two data sets were collected for each outcome variable i.e. 24 pre- and 18 post-intervention. Monthly data was abstracted from the District Health Information System-2 (DHIS-2) and verified using facility data. The collected data was then keyed into SPSS-17, cleaned and analyzed.ResultsDuring the study period, there was a significant increase in births attended by skilled attendants up to the 12th month (pth and 18th months (pst to the 18th month (pth month (pConclusionsThe FMS policy led to progress towards improving maternal health by improving access to maternal health services. The improved utilization of maternal health services was more marked in hospitals. There was a worsening of institutional maternal mortality ratio.