A main goal of the Kenyan government’s Safe Motherhood Initiative is to increase
the number of babies delivered in modern health facilities. Mothers are encouraged to
begin prenatal care visits early in their pregnancy and to continue care until the fortieth week.
However, research carried out among the Luo people in Got Agulu, western Kenya, indicates
that mothers may not actually initiate prenatal care early in pregnancy. This lack of use may
be due to the Luo cultural belief that it is improper for childbirth blood to be spilled outside
the father’s homestead. Further, the Luo do not view pregnancy as an illness that should necessitate
numerous prenatal visits. This paper analyzes factors behind the low use of prenatal
and maternity services within modern health facilities in the Got Agulu sub-location of western
Kenya.