Maximizing Group Antenatal Care (G-ANC) coverage in health facilities: Study Protocol for an Implementation Research in Machakos County, Kenya.

This study was designed in Kenya to explore the feasibility, acceptability, effectiveness, fidelity, and sustainability of scaling up G-ANC as the predominant ANC service delivery model. It was a mixed-methods implementation research study with process evaluation of the G-ANC scale-up conducted in Machakos County, Kenya. Twelve health facilities were purposively selected in consultation with the county health management team. Participants included pregnant women, healthcare providers providing ANC/G-ANC, and county health managers. Baseline quantitative data were collected from March 2021 to February 2022 from study facilities. Data were collected monthly through data abstraction and quarterly through surveys from the start of implementation in March 2022 to November 2023. Midline qualitative data were collected in March/April 2023, and endline data in December 2023 using key informant interviews and focus group discussions. The final study results will be ready for publication in September 2024.