Assessment of Achievements and Challenges of the Implementation of Health Extension Program: The Comparative Study of Goro and Weliso Woredas.
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2010-07
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
A.A.U
Abstract
Ethiopian government has developed and implemented Health Extension Programme to improve
the health status of communities particularly those who reside in rural areas of the country since
2004/5 . The thesis focuses on the assessment of achievements and challenges of the
implementation of Health Extension Program. The objective of the study is to assess the
achievements and challenges of Health Extension Program in Goro and Weliso woredas.
As to the research methodology, descriptive method was used. Stratified multi- stage cluster
sampling was employed to select sample households. Six (6) kebeles were randomly selected
from the two woredas. From these kebeles a total of 150 households were randomly chosen.
Simple random sampling was used to se lect Health Extension Workers (HEWs) and Supervisors.
Purposive sampling was utilised to select woreda health administrators. Schedule questionnaire,
observations and interview were applied to obtain first-hand information.
Regarding the findings, the study shows that there have been poor performances in the execution
of Health Extension Programme. In the malaria prevention and control package, the findings
show that the Insecticide Treated Mosquito Nets (ITNs) is not adequate to protect households
being caught by malaria. It has been also widely observed that people utilise ITNs for different
unintended purposes in the study areas. As to the family planning services, households resist to
use family planning methods for a number of reasons such as religion matter. Moreover,
evidences show that the current family planning fall short of communities' needs and
expectations. Health posts and basic health service kits have been lacking for Health Extension
Workers to fully serve the communities. On the other hand, Health Extension Workers also lack
basic skills and knowledge to render quality health services. In the implementation of health
education and communication package, sufficient time has not been allocated for it in study
areas.
Facilities such as construction of health posts and supply of equipments, medicines and supplies,
strong health education and communication, alternative finance rising instruments to supplement
operational budget, integrated refreshing trainings for Health Extension Workers, development
of guidelines on the promotion, transfer, continuing education, salary increment are some of the
major recommendations put forwarded.
Description
Keywords
Achievements and Challenges of the Implementation, Extension Program, Goro and Weliso Woredas