Factors affecting the role Of health Extension professionals In the Implementation of health packages In Yeka Subcity Of Addis Ababa
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Date
2015-09
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Addis Ababa Univerisity
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to assess the Factors Affecting the Role of Health Extension
Professionals in the Implementation of Health Packages in Addis Ababa, Yeka Sub city. To
this end, descriptive survey design was employed. Both quantitative and qualitative methods
were used. Primary source of data were heads and vice heads of Woreda Health Offices and
Health Extension Professionals. The secondary sources were relevant policy documents,
reports of Woreda Health Offices and minutes of the HEP of Addis Ababa City
Administration and the respective Woreda’s reports. Sample size of this research on the
total of forty four respondents form the Yeka sub-city Woreda Head Officer and Vice Head
officer (two in number), from the 14 Woreda Health Offices / two supervisor per Woreda
assigned/, then selected one from each (14 in numbers), twenty eight Health Extension
Professionals from each Woreda were participated in this study. Respondents used as a
sample simple random sampling technique was used to select Woreda’s form the total
number. Further-more, from a total of 13 Woreda’s in the sub-city a proportion of 7
Woredas were considered through systematic random sampling technique. Whereas
selection of tow HEPs from each of the seven Woredas who have worked one year and above
as a formal HEP in purposive sampling technique. Data gathering tools were questionnaire
on self-administer question, interview and focus group discussions (FGD) with heads and
vice heads of Woreda Health Offices such as supervisors and Health Extension
Professionals. The data analysis lead to the following major finding; (1) according to the
data optioned the educational background of HEPs and Woreda health office experts and
supervisors, no respondents of HEP having Degree and all the sub-city or Woreda HEPs
supervisors were Degree holders , (2) the perception of the community towards HEPs in
Yeka Sub-City is low and even they do not consider Health Extension Workers as
professionals who have qualifications and experience and have seen low community
understanding , (3)The jobs satisfaction of HEPs ,since there is no incentive like up grading
, refresher course and per-diem for daily activity , It difficult to say all respondents satisfied
, above half of respondents were not satisfied, (4) mainly lack of practical exposure during
trainng session means it is fully over run by thoertical assumptions , and (5) majority of
respondents response shown that there is shortage or/ and luck of incentive, motivation,
training and refresher training, non-monitory remuneration support. Based on the major
findings, it was concluded that the health extension service poorly implemented in
community awareness on HEPs role and responsibility subjects. Based on the major finding
and conclusions drown, it was recommended that Yeka sub-city should conduct continuous
community awareness creation program to change the preception of the community on
HEP role and responsibility. Beacuse the profession is correlates it self with life of the
people, in addition to upgrading to the educational level, HEPs course needs actual
practical attachment within the working area rather than fully involved in the theortical
assumptions. Moreover, fair and competent working environment is the driving factor for the
professionals to stay on job safely Thus, Incentives or reward should be forwarded to the one who
had commitement in his/her performance results.
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Factors affecting the role