The Extended Role of Health Facility Cleaners in Maternity Care in Kenya
4600120.pdf

Authors

Ginger Golub, Innovations for Poverty Action, Nairobi, Kenya May Sudhinaraset, University of California, Los Angeles Fielding School of Public Health Katie Giessler, University of California, San Francisco Institute for Global Health Sciences Kendall Dunlop-Korsness, American Red Cross, Los Angeles, CA, USA Allison Stone, Innovations for Poverty Action, Nairobi, Kenya
CONTEXT

A growing body of evidence indicates that nonclinical health care facility staff provide support beyond their traditional roles, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. It is important to examine the role of health facility cleaners in Kenya—from their perspective—to better understand their actual and perceived responsibilities in maternity care.

METHODS

In-depth, face-to-face interviews using a semistructured guide were conducted with 14 cleaners working at three public health facilities in Nairobi and Kiambu Counties, Kenya, in August and September 2016. Results were coded and categorized using a thematic content analysis approach.

RESULTS

Cleaners reported performing a range of services beyond typical maintenance responsibilities, including providing emotional, informational and instrumental support to maternity patients. They described feeling disrespected when patients were untidy or experienced bleeding; however, such examples revealed cleaners' need to better understand labor and childbirth processes. Cleaners also indicated a desire for training on interpersonal skills to improve their interactions with patients.

CONCLUSION

Cleaners' direct involvement in maternity patients' care is an alarming symptom of overburdened health facilities, insufficient staffing and inadequate training. This key yet overlooked cadre of health care staff deserves appropriate support and further research to understand and alleviate health system shortcomings, and to improve the quality of maternity health care provision.

Author's Affiliations

Ginger Golub is senior research and business development manager, and Allison Stone is deputy country director—both with Innovations for Poverty Action, Nairobi, Kenya. May Sudhinaraset is assistant professor, University of California, Los Angeles Fielding School of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA, USA. Katie Giessler is senior research analyst, University of California, San Francisco Institute for Global Health Sciences, San Francisco, CA, USA. Kendall Dunlop-Korsness is senior engagement specialist, American Red Cross, Los Angeles, CA, USA.

Disclaimer

The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of the Guttmacher Institute.
Volume 46
January 2020
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Page 1

First published online:

Full text available open access on JSTOR