As of 2020, there were 1.4 million and 2.4 million still births and neonatal deaths, respectively out of the 135 million births globally (Boerma et al., 2023), with approximately 300,000 women dying during pregnancy. Sub Saharan Africa accounted for 68% of these maternal deaths (Boerma et al., 2023).
In Kenya-16 pregnant women die per day. 92 newborns die per day (KNBS, KDHS, 2022), with 83 still births recorded per day (UNIMEG, 2020; UNICEF, 2024).
Evidence suggests that participatory learning and action approaches like ours can lead to a 49% reduction in maternal mortality, 33% reduction in neonatal mortality, and improve other dimensions of community health and resilience (Prost et al., 2013). These approaches are also cost-effective. (Alexander, 2024).
Our health education is informed by the Health Belief Model, helping pregnant mothers and teenage girls acknowledge their vulnerability and risks, and empowering them with the knowledge to help them access skilled maternity services and mitigate those risks.