Table 1 Location and characteristics of the 7 study hospitals
Hospital identifier (location) | Hospital type (referral level) | Number of beds (bed occupancy) | Malaria endemicity | Funding source | User charging policy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1 (Nairobi province) | National (tertiary) | 1520 (138%) | Low | Government budgetary allocation, user fees and occasional donations. | To offer free health care services to all children under 5 years. |
H2 (Rift valley province) | Provincial (secondary) | 453 (80%) | Moderate | Â | Â |
H3 (Nyanza province) | District (primary) | 234 (80%) | High | Â | Â |
H4 (Central province) | District (primary) | 208 (120%) | Moderate | Â | Â |
H5 (Eastern province) | District (primary) | 182 (108%) | Moderate | Â | Â |
H6 (Rift valley province) | Mission (primary) | 308 (49%) | Moderate | User fees (approx 80% of the budget), government seconded staff, donations (unpredictable and occasional). | Operate waiver and credit facilities for patients not able to pay. |
H7 (Rift valley province) | Mission (primary) | 160 (59%) | Moderate | Â | Â |