Experiences of Postnatal Mothers with Healthcare Providers in Rural Kenya: Insights from Applying the Mmogo Method

Abstract

Purpose To explore the experiences of postnatal mothers with health care providers during postnatal care in rural Kenya.

Design This was a visual-based narrative inquiry study that applied the Mmogo method® - a visual projective data-collection method.

Methods The participants were women (n=26) receiving postnatal care at purposively sampled rural health facilities (n=4) in Laikipia County Kenya.

Findings Two themes emerged from this study. First, the mothers had positive experiences with health care providers. Secondly, the mothers expressed expectations to enhance future experiences with health care providers.

Conclusions Mothers had positive experiences and various expectations to enhance future experiences with health care providers that related to their postnatal needs. The mothers proposed the possible use of mobile phones by health care providers to meet their health education needs as well as receive psychological support.

Clinical Evidence Health care providers can use mobile phone devices to call and address some of the postnatal needs during the postnatal period.