Table 3 Community level information and actions taken

Uptake of interventions by the community

Data was collected through household surveys and shared during quarterly review meetings conducted at sub-county and district level

Conduct maternal and newborn audits at the community and health facilities to find out the reasons for the deaths

Some mothers still deliver at home and so maternal and newborn deaths reported in some communities

Mothers continue to bathe newborns immediately within 12 h after birth (86%)

More health education about newborn care practices during home visits, community dialogues and at the health facility

Mothers continue to put local herbs on newborn cord (44%)

Poor attendance of community dialogues partly attributed to lack of involvement of local council leaders

Data was collected through key informant interviews and focus group discussions and shared during review meetings held at sub-county and district level

Sensitisation meetings held for local council leaders to inform them about their role in the study

Factors influencing competence of VHTs in performing their duties

VHTs lacked adequate knowledge about newborn danger signs (46%)

Data was collected through VHT surveys and shared with VHTs at VHT quarterly review meetings

Refresher training done during the quarterly group meeting and a change was noted (46–60%)

VHTs were not encouraging mothers to join saving groups and link up with transporters

Data was collected through VHT surveys and shared with VHTs at VHT quarterly review meetings

Refresher training of VHTs was done during quarterly group meeting and more information provided about transport and savings component; list of saving groups also given to VHTs