Kenya has recorded a significant reduction of child mortality in the past decade.

The Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS) report indicates that compared to 2003 where 33 in every 1,000 children died within one month, 21 children died within their first month of birth in 2022.

The report further shows that more children celebrated their first birthday as only 32 in 1,000 children died while those who reached their fifth birthday increased as only 41 in a similar population died.

Under-five mortality rate did not differ by urban or rural but more deaths of male children were recorded compared to females.

These positive gains were made possible by pregnant women embracing hospital visits for antenatal and postnatal services. The survey shows nearly all pregnant women in Kenya (98 per cent) received antenatal care (ANC) for their most recent live birth.

Overall, 66 per cent of women had four or more ANC visits for their most recent live birth or stillbirth.

Folic acid

Also, a majority of pregnant women took iron-containing supplements which are crucial during pregnancy.

According to the World Health Organisation, the uptake of iron and folic acid by pregnant women improves pregnancy outcomes, maternal and infant health.

Iron and folic acid supplements are also recommended for decreasing the risks of neural defects which can be fatal to the mother and child.

The supplements also help prevent anaemia during pregnancy which places women at a risk of poor pregnancy outcomes, including maternal mortality as well as increasing the risks for perinatal mortality, premature birth and low birth weight.

 While the gains were significant, the survey shows the percentage of women going for ANC increased with the level of education with less than half of those with no education going for clinics while 83 per cent of those with education beyond secondary school attending clinic more than four times during their pregnancy.

Nyeri (82 per cent) had the highest number of women going for ANC while Garissa county recorded the least (31 per cent).