Table 1

Universal health coverage tracer indicators to monitor progress on health service coverage

Tracer indicatorTypeSurvey yearDefinition
Maternal health
PregnancyFive or more antenatal visitsPreventive service2008, 2013, 2018Per cent of women with a recent live birth in the last 5 years who had five or more antenatal visits (last live birth).
Eight or more antenatal visitsPreventive service2008, 2013, 2018Per cent of women with a recent live birth in the last 5 years who had five or more antenatal visits (last live birth).
Birth in a health facilityCurative service2008, 2013, 2018Per cent of women with a recent live birth in the last 5 years who gave birth in a health facility (county and higher level hospitals, community health centres, township health centres or private hospitals).
Infectious diseases
Water and sanitationHouseholds with access to clean waterPreventive service2008, 2013, 2018In the 2008 and 2013 surveys, clean water referred to water from a tap, a bottle, a hand pressed or protected well, a protected spring or collection of rain water. In the 2018 survey, clean water referred to water from a tap, a protected well, a protected spring or collection of rain water.
Households with access to sanitationPreventive service2008, 2013, 2018In the 2008 and 2013 surveys, access to sanitation referred to use of the following: flush/pour flush to piped sewer systems, septic tanks, pit latrine with slabs (including ventilation improved pit latrine) or composting toilets. In the 2018 survey, access to sanitation referred to use of the following: flush/pour flush to piped sewer systems, and pit latrine with slabs.
Child infectionsCare seeking for acute respiratory illness in childrenCurative service2008, 2013, 2018Per cent of children ≤5 years with acute respiratory illness in the last 2 weeks who sought formal healthcare. Acute respiratory illness included common cold, pharyngitis, laryngitis, tonsillitis, trachealis, influenza, pneumonia and asthma. Formal healthcare was defined as (1) care from a doctor or (2) taking medication according to a doctor’s prescription.
Care seeking for diarrhoea in childrenCurative service2008, 2013, 2018Per cent of children ≤5 years with diarrhoea in the last 2 weeks who sought formal healthcare. Diarrhoea was defined as acute or chronic gastroenteritis. Formal healthcare was defined as (1) care from a doctor or (2) taking medication according to a doctor’s prescription.
Non-communicable diseases
HypertensionHypertension on medicationCurative service2013, 2018Per cent of adults aged 35 years and above with hypertension (diagnosed by a doctor) who were taking medication recommended by a doctor.
Adequate management of hypertensionIntegrated service, preventive and curative2013, 2018Per cent of adults aged 35 years and above with hypertension (diagnosed by a doctor) who received four key interventions as recommended in the national guideline: (1) at least one health check-up in the last year, (2) at least one health promotion session by a health professional in the last 3 months, (3) taking medication recommended by a doctor and (4) blood pressure monitoring every 3 months.
DiabetesDiabetes on medicationCurative service2013, 2018Per cent of adults aged 35 years and above with diabetes (diagnosed by a doctor) who were taking medication recommended by a doctor.
Adequate management of diabetesIntegrated service, preventive and curative2013, 2018Per cent of adults aged 35 years and above with diabetes (diagnosed by a doctor) who received three key interventions as recommended in the national guideline: (1) at least one health check-up in the last year, (2) taking medication recommended by a doctor and (3) fasting glucose blood test every 3 months or recently?
Cervical cancerCervical cancer screeningPreventive service2013, 2018Per cent of women aged 35–64 years receiving cervical cancer screening in the last year. The 2013 survey asked about a cervical smear test during the last 12 months while the 2018 survey included a cervical smear test, ThinPrep liquid-based cytology test and human papilloma test.
Breast cancerBreast cancer screeningPreventive service2013, 2018Per cent of women aged 35–64 years receiving cervical cancer screening in the last year.