Indicator 3.1.2 Proportion of births attended by skilled health personnel

Goal 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages

Target 3.1: By 2030, reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births

Indicator 3.1.2: Proportion of births attended by skilled health personnel

2024

Related to Target 3.1 on reducing maternal mortality, 3.2 on reducing neonatal mortality and 3.8 on achieving universal health coverage (coverage of essential health services).

Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS)

Senior Manager, Population Statistics Division, Directorate of Population and Social Statistics(DPSS)

Population Division

Compilation of population and demographics statistics

+254 735004401

P.O. Box 30266 00100 GPO NAIROBI, KENYA

dpss@knbs.or.ke

Definition:

Proportion of births attended by skilled health personnel (generally doctors, nurses or midwives and clinical officers) is the proportion of childbirths attended by professional skilled health personnel. Percentage of births (live births and/or stillbirths) in the 2 years preceding the survey that were assisted by a skilled provider .According to the current definition (1) these are competent maternal and newborn health (MNH) professionals educated, trained and regulated to national and international standards. They are competent to: (i) provide and promote evidence-based, human-rights based, quality, socio-culturally sensitive and dignified care to women and newborns; (ii) facilitate physiological processes during labour and delivery to ensure a clean and positive childbirth experience; and (iii) identify and manage or refer women and/or newborns with complications

Per Cent

None

Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS)

Kenya Integrated Household Budget Survey (KIHBS)

Data collection includes; survey planning, consultative user needs assessment meetings, survey and sampling design, questionnaire development, pretesting and finalization of questionnaires, recruitment and training of field staff, field data collection and capture, data processing, management, checking and analysis, report writing and production. At each stage, the survey conforms to best practices in survey implementation.

KDHS every 5 years, KIHBS every 10 years

KDHS every 5 years, KIHBS every 10 years

Kenya National Bureau of Statistics through household surveys

Kenya National Bureau of Statistics

The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics is the principal agency of the Government for collecting, compilation, analysis, publication and dissemination of statistical information, custodian of official statistical information and the co-ordination of the national statistical system, under Statistics Act 2006

Having a skilled health care provider at the time of childbirth is an important lifesaving intervention for both women and newborns. Not having access to this key assistance is detrimental to women's and newborns’ health because it could cause the death of the women and/or the newborns or long-lasting morbidity. Achieving universal coverage for this indicator is therefore essential for reducing maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity.

Births attended by skilled health personnel is an indicator of health care utilization. It is a measure of the health system’s functioning and potential to provide adequate coverage for childbirth. On its own, however, this indicator does not provide insight into the availability or accessibility of services, for example in cases where emergency care is needed. Neither does this indicator capture the quality of care received.

Data collection and data interpretation is challenged by lack of guidelines, standardization of professional titles and functions of the health care provider, and task-shifting.

Numerator:

Number of births attended by skilled health personnel (doctor, nurse or midwife) trained in providing quality obstetric care, including giving the necessary support and care to the mother and the newborn during childbirth and immediate postpartum period

Denominator:

The total number of live/still births in the same period.

Births attended by skilled health personnel = (number of births attended by skilled health personnel)/ (total number of live births) x 100.

Technical working committee validation meetings with stakeholders, subject matter specialists and academia were held to assess the results before the launch and dissemination of the reports.

As per the DHS programme guidelines on methodology

The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics is ISO certified based on 9001:2015 Standard requirements. The processes of compilation, production, publication and dissemination of data, including quality control, are carried out following the methodological framework and standards established by the KNBS, in compliance with the Internationally acceptable standards.

The KNBS adheres to Kenya Statistical Quality Assurance Framework (KesQAF) that underlines principles to be assured in managing the statistical production processes and output.

Data consistency and quality checks are conducted through Technical Working Groups (TWGs) before publication and dissemination.

KNBS developed a quality assurance framework (KeSQAF) , to record and reference the full range of quality concepts, dimensions, and practices. These include; Relevance, accuracy, reliability, timeliness, punctuality, accessibility, clarity, coherence, consistency, methodological soundness, and integrity. As well as the KeScop that defines the statistical code of practice

Data Availability

Data available at National level and County level.

Time Series

KDHS (2014), KIHBS (2015/16) and KDHS (2022).

Disaggregation

Disaggregated by county and Place of Residence (Rural-Urban)

Comparable to international standards

KDHS2014MaternalandChildHealth - Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (knbs.or.ke)

Kenya DHS 2022 Main Report - Volume 1 - Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (knbs.or.ke)

Basic Report - Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (knbs.or.ke)