Assessment of the role of health extension workers in improving utilization of family planning services in Libido /Mareko Woreda, Guraga zone, Southern Nation, Nationalities and Peoples Regional state
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Date
2013-05
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Addis Abeba University
Abstract
Background: Family planning service, one of the health extension package which mainly
implemented at health post by health extension workers and which play major role in reducing
maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality. This thesis focuses on the assessment of role of
health extension workers on family planning service utilization
Objective: To assess the role of health extension workers in improving utilization of family
planning services in Libido/Mareko Woreda, Gurage zone Southern Nation, Nationalities and
Peoples regional state
Methods: The study used both quantitative and qualitative study methods. The quantitative
method employed community based cross-sectional study design to assess role of Health
extension workers in family planning services utilization in Libido/Mareko Woreda during the
month of March 2013. Data for the quantitative study was collected using a structured
questionnaire from a total sample size of 348 respondents. The number of women with in
reproductive age group was systematically selected from 10 randomly selected kebeles and the
number of households included in the study was proportionally allocated to selected kebele. For
qualitative data focus group discussion was conducted in four groups with purposely selected
health extension workers, health workers from health center and Woreda health office and 1to5
leaders and annual family planning service report from 1996 to 2004 Eth.c of the Woreda was
also reviewed by using checklist. Data obtained was complied, analyzed and interpreted
accordingly.
Results: Current use of contraceptive was found to be 57.8% of which majority (77.6%) of the
respondents use the injectable methods. Women who were age group 25-34(AOR= 0.334 (95 CI;
0.17-0.67)), who were married (AOR=89.22 (95 CI; 1.61-4956.04)), who were orthodox
Christian (AOR=0.12 (95 CI; 0.02-0.78 )) as well as who were heard about family planning
(AOR=0.14 (95 CI; 0.04-0.47)) and who were participated on family planning related activity
(AOR=0. 20 (95 CI; 0.11-0.35)) were more likely to demonstrate good utilization of family
Planning service. In Focus group discussion health extension workers mentioned that they have
got enough support from the health center and Woreda health office. In addition, the 1to5
network leader and kebele administrators witnessed that improvements of family planning
service have been observed after the arrival of the health extension workers.
Conclusion and Recommendations: This study demonstrated that the roles of health extension
workers were crucial for the improvement of family planning service utilization in the Woreda.
The significant factors influencing family planning service utilization were age, marital status,
religion, information about family planning service and participation on family planning related
activity. More effort is needed from different stakeholders to strengthen the role of health
extension workers on the utilization of family planning services. In addition, women’s
participation in family planning related activity, access to family planning information and health
education on FP could be targets for future interventions.
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Keywords
health extension workers,family planning services