How Does Person-Centered Care Impact Maternal and Newborn Outcomes? A Longitudinal Study in Kenya of Childbirth Experiences, Post-Natal Care, and the Post-Partum Period

May Sudhinaraset , University of California, Los Angeles
Patience Afulani, University of California, San Francisco
Leiwen Gao, University of California, Los Angeles
Ginger Golub, IPA
Nadia Diamond-Smith, University of California, San Francisco

Despite the recognized importance of person-centered care, very little exists on how person-centered maternity care (PCMC) impacts newborn health including neonatal complications and exclusive breastfeeding. The objective of this study is to explore the association between person-centered quality of care and newborn health outcomes in Kenya. This study is unique in that it uses a recently validated scale PCMC, and examines the effect of PCMC on newborn health, including reported newborn complications and exclusive breastfeeding in the postpartum period. A total of 531 women were surveyed at baseline and followed up at two weeks and 10 weeks post partum. Multivariable logistic regressions were conducted. Results show that women who reported higher levels of PCMC reported significantly lower newborn complications (OR=0.34, p<0.05) and higher exclusive breastfeeding (OR=5.52, p<0.05). This suggests that higher PCMC levels empower women to care for their babies, including potentially recognizing and identifying danger signs early.

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 Presented in Session 172. Improving Maternal and Newborn Health in Sub-Saharan Africa: Financing and Quality of Care