Geographic Inequalities, and Social-Demographic Determinants of Reproductive, Maternal and Child Health at Sub-national Levels in Kenya

Abstract

Global initiatives have emphasized tracking indicators to monitor progress, particularly in countries with the highest maternal and child mortality. Routine data can be used to monitor indicators for improved target setting at national and subnational levels. This study's objective was to assess the geographic inequalities in estimates of reproductive, maternal and child health indicators from routine data at the subnational level in Kenya. Monthly data from 47 counties clustered in 8 regions, from January 2018 to December 2021 were assembled from the District Health Information Software version 2 (DHIS2) in Kenya. Tracking of RMCH indicators revealed geographical inequalities at the County and subcounty level, often masked by national-level estimates. These findings underscore the value of routine monitoring indicators as a potential for evidence-based sub-national planning and precision targeting of interventions to marginalized populations.