Promoting delivery of reproductive health services through legal support and capacity development of healthcare providers in a health provider network in Kenya

Abstract

Health provider networks (HPNs), an innovation in the private sector, is a service delivery model that has improved access to health services. However, there are no known studies or empirical evidence to support their effectiveness in Kenya. Objective: To determine the influence that legal support and provider capacity building have on providing quality reproductive health services in a healthcare provider network in Kenya. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used. The study was carried out among Reproductive Health Network Kenya (RHNK) healthcare providers spread all over 42 counties in Kenya. The target population was 457 health care providers within RHNK and five board members. A sample of 252 health care providers was drawn using simple random sampling. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from the 252 health care providers in the network. Quantitative data were analyzed using the IBM SPSS software, version 23, for descriptive and inferential statistics, and results were presented in tables. Results: A total of 252 respondents were included in this study; 52 (n=132) were male. Forty-six percent % (n=117) of the respondents were between 41-50 years. Nurses were the majority at 73 (n=184), and 31 % % (n=78) of the respondents owned nursing homes. Fifty-one percent (n=127) of the respondents were diploma holders, and 28 (n=70) had 16-20 years of % work experience. The bivariate analysis reported that legal support (r=.235**, p< .05) and capacity building (r= .213**, p< .05) had a positive and significant influence on the provision of quality reproductive health services in the provider network. Conclusion: Legal support and capacity building through training, mentorship, and coaching significantly impact reproductive health services quality in a provider network.