Determinants of Utilization of CHAs in Rural Communities
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Date
1989-05
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Addis Abeba Universty
Abstract
A study of the determinants of uti li zation of
community health agents among rural c omm unities was
conducted in the di stri ct (Awraj a) of Buno-Bede 11 e, south
western part of Ethiopia. The main objectives of the study
were to determine the prevalence of utilization of CHAs and
to see the relation between utilization of CHAs and
knowledge, attitude and participation of the community.
There were a total of 311 CHAs trained in the Awraja,
up to May 1988. Only 221 were found during a survey
conducted in May 1988. 80 PAs were randomly selected from
those where a CHA had been found regard 1 ess of
functionality. A structured questionnaire was administered
to a systematic sampling of 2400 heads of households.
It was found that 83.6% of the study popu 1 at i on used
at least one service of the CHA i n the past year. The most
used services were preventive and promotive activities,
particularly , health education and home visits (59.7% and 58.0%
respecti ' ely). The least used services were treatment activities,
death and birth registration. Utilizers of CHA services had
better access to safe water supply and sanitary facilities.
People who are members of PPCAs, literate, have knowledge about
CHAs and their serv ices, have a positive attitude towards
CHAs and their se rvices, and participated in the selection
of their CHAs and related matters are more likely to be
utilizers of CHAs. It was also found that a positive
attitude towards CHAs and their services was the best
predictor of utilization of CHAs.
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Keywords
Determinants of Utilization