An Assessment of the Implement of Health Extension Program in Selected Woredas of South Wollo Zone of Amhara Regional State
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Date
2010-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The purpose of the study was to asses the implementation of health extens ion
program in the South Wollo Zone of the Amhara regional state. To accomplish
this purpose, the study employed a descriptive survey method, which is
supplemented by qualitative research methods to enrich the data. With this
respect, household models, health extension workers, zonal and woreda health
extension experts were sources of data in the study. The data gathering
instruments included questionnaires interviews, focus group discussion and
documental analysis. Data obtained through questionnaires were quantitatively
described and interpreted in light of available literature where has the
information obtained through interview were qualitatively described to
supplement the quantitative data. The result of the study reveal that model
households participated in health-extension training through the organizers of
model house holds were health extension workers and kebele administrator,
model households agreed on the criterion for selecting only female health
extension agents in their kebeles and neighboring kebeles, model households
are giving training during coffee ceremony, in development work and in large
community meetings to the other households. Purther more, the study reveled
that: lack of trained supervisor personnel, lack of support or incentives, lack of
career growth and continuing education to health extension workers and lack of
clearly defined job description to the supervisor personnel hinder proper
implementation of health extension program in the study area. Finally,
recommendations are made based on the results of the study. The point of
recommendations include: Timely response to social and psychological need of
health extension worker such as arrangement of upgrading program based on
their performance and year service can decrease dropout rate. Regular
supportive supervision and follow up of health extension workers will increase
the motivation of health extension workers and facilitates the provision of quality
services.
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