An Assessment of the Implementation of Health Extension Program in Some Selected Woredas of Jimma Zone of Oromia Regional State
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Date
2011-05
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The pUl1Jose of this study was to assess the implementation of health extension program in some
selected woredas of Jimma zone of Oromiya Regional State. To accomplish this purpose, the
study employed a descriptive servey method; this is supplemented by qualitative research
methods to enrich the data. With this respect, household models, health extension wokers zonal
and woreda health extension experts were sources of data for the study. The data gathering
instruments included questionnaires, interviews, foucs gourp disucsions and documet analysis.
Data obtained through questionnaires were quantitatively described and interpreted in light of
available literature where as the information obtained through interview, FGD and document
analysis were qualitatively described to supplement the quantitative data. The result of the study
revealed that model households participated in health extension training through the organizers
of model households were health extension workers and kebele administrators. Model
households agreed on the criterion for selecting only female health extension agents in there
kebeles and neighboring kebele. Models households are giving training during coffee ceremony, .
in development work and in large community meetings to the other households. Furtheremore,
the study revealed that lack of trained supervisors, lack of support or incentives, lack of career
growth and continuing education to health extension workers, and lack of clearly diffined job
description to the supervisory personel hindered proper implementation of health extension
program in the study area. Finally, recommendations are made based on the results of the study.
The point of recommendation include; timely response to social and psychological need of health
extension workers such as arrangement of upgrading program based on their performance and
year of service can decrease dropout rate. Regular supportive supervision and follow up of
health extension workers will increase the motivation of health extension workers and facilitate
the provision of quality services.
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Implementation of Health Extension Program