INFLUENCE OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT PRACTICES ON THE PERFORMANCE OF ANTENATAL CARE SERVICES PROJECTS IN KENYA
Olive Karwitha - Master of Arts in Project Planning and Management, University of Nairobi, Kenya
Dr. Cavens Kihinji - Lecturer, University of Nairobi, Kenya
ABSTRACT
The antenatal care services projects are poorly performing. Despise the availability of antenatal care services in the hospital through antenatal care services projects only 25% of these women were able to achieve the four recommended antenatal care visits. The purpose of this research was to establish project management practices influence on the performance of antenatal care services projects in Kenya. The study was guided by the following objectives; to determine how planning practices, project execution practices, monitoring and evaluation and project funding influence performance of antenatal care services projects in Kenya. The study was hinged on system theory, co-evolutionary theory and classical theory. A descriptive research design was undertaken to ascertain and be able to describe the characteristics of variables of interest. The target population for this study was 262 comprising of Project managers, Officials in the Ministry of Health and Beneficiaries. The sample size was a subset of the population that is taken to be representatives of the entire population. A sample population of 156 was arrived at by calculating the target population of 262 with a 95% confidence level and an error of 0.05. This study adopted a stratified and simple random sampling technique. Primary data was obtained using self-administered questionnaires while secondary data was obtained using data collection sheet. The drop and pick method was preferred for questionnaire administration so as to give respondents enough time to give well thought out responses. The researcher personally administered the research instruments to the respondents. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages, mean score and standard deviation were estimated for all the quantitative variables. The qualitative data from the open-ended questions was analysed using conceptual content analysis and presented in prose. Inferential data analysis was done using regression and correlation analysis and information presented inform of tables. The study found that delivery method and inputs required influence performance of antenatal care services projects in Kenya to a very great extent. The study found that effective communication and managing people influenced performance of antenatal care services projects in Kenya to a very great extent. The study also found that M&E training and provision of direction influence performance of antenatal care services projects in Kenya to a very great extent. Lastly, the study found that adequate funds influence performance of antenatal care services projects in Kenya to a very great extent. The study concluded that planning practices had the greatest effect on performance of antenatal care services projects in Kenya, followed by monitoring and evaluation strategy, then project execution practices while project funding had the least effect on the performance of antenatal care services projects in Kenya. The study recommends that more stringent measures should be put in place to ensure proper monitoring and evaluation processes.The study further, recommends that the project management should prepare documentations and manuals guiding on project planning.
