The Influence of Health Financing on Management of Health Products and Technologies in Selected Counties, Kenya

Abstract

Health Products and Technologies (HPTs) are critical pillars of the health system and essential to achieving Kenya's Universal Health Coverage (UHC). UHC prioritizes access to highquality medical care with minimal financial hardship. Despite efforts to enhance HPTs management, counties like Kisumu, Machakos, Nyeri, Kiambu, and Isiolo in Kenya face inefficiencies. This study aimed to determine the influence of health financing on the management of HPTs. The utilization management theory guided the research. The research was conducted in Kisumu, Kiambu, Machakos, Nyeri, and Isiolo counties, using the pragmatism paradigm to support a mixed-methods design. Quantitative data utilized a descriptive research design, while qualitative data employed an exploratory design. A census sampling method was used in the study where 141 staff managing HPTs at level 4 and 5 public health facilities were targeted. Participants were drawn from clinical, pharmacy, service delivery, and administration departments. Key informant interviews were conducted with County Directors of Health and County Pharmacists. Data collection involved pre-tested questionnaires and key informant interview guides to ensure validity and reliability. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, while qualitative data was thematically analyzed. The study adhered to research ethics throughout the investigation. The study found that the model explained 53.5 % (R Square value of 0.535) of the variance in the management of HPTs. This meant that the model had strong explanatory power, but there was still a significant portion of variance (46.5%) that was not accounted for by these predictors. The HPTs financing had a coefficient of 0.231 implying that, for every one-unit increase in financing, the management of HPTs is expected to increase by 0.231 units, assuming all other factors remain constant. This positive coefficient suggests that better financing is associated with improved management of HPTs. HPTs financing provided the lowest significant contribution of 0.206 (Beta=0.206; t=2.683; P=0.009). The study concluded that HPTs financing provides a statistically significant influence on the management of HPTs in public hospitals in Kenya.