Influence of participatory monitoring and evaluation on decision-making in maternal and newborn health programs in Mombasa County, Kenya

The study assessed the utilization of participatory monitoring and evaluation approaches (PM&E) and their influence on decision-making in maternal and newborn health programs (MNH) in Mombasa County, Kenya. We conducted a cross-sectional study with a sample of 390 participants and used a structured questionnaire, modified Quality of Decision-Making Orientation Scheme, and an interview guide to collect data. We analyzed quantitative responses using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression (at significance level of 0.05) and qualitative responses using content analysis. The study established that quality decision-making was more likely to occur in MNH programs in Mombasa County that used PM&E approaches at the initiation (OR 1.728, p < 0.05), design and planning (OR 2.977, p < 0.05), and implementation (OR 5.665, p < 0.05) phases of MNH programs than in those that did not use the PM&E approaches. This study shapes a persuasive case for improving the provision of maternal and newborn health services. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1057/s41271-023-00421-w.