Knowledge and performance of the Ethiopian health extension workers on antenatal and delivery care: a cross-sectional study
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In recognition of the critical shortage of human resources within health services, community health workers have been trained and deployed to provide primary health care in developing countries. However, very few studies have investi...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2012-11-01
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| Series: | Human Resources for Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.human-resources-health.com/content/10/1/44 |
| _version_ | 1811312414543577088 |
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| author | Medhanyie Araya Spigt Mark Dinant GeertJan Blanco Roman |
| author_facet | Medhanyie Araya Spigt Mark Dinant GeertJan Blanco Roman |
| author_sort | Medhanyie Araya |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In recognition of the critical shortage of human resources within health services, community health workers have been trained and deployed to provide primary health care in developing countries. However, very few studies have investigated whether these health workers can provide good quality of care. This study investigated the knowledge and performance of health extension workers (HEWs) on antenatal and delivery care. The study also explored the barriers and facilitators for HEWs in the provision of maternal health care.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In conducting this research, a cross-sectional study was performed. A total of 50 HEWs working in 39 health posts, covering a population of approximately 195,000 people, were interviewed. Descriptive statistics was used and a composite score of knowledge of HEWs was made and interpreted based on the Ethiopian education scoring system.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Almost half of the respondents had at least 5 years of work experience as a HEW. More than half (27 (54%)) of the HEWs had poor knowledge on contents of antenatal care counseling, and the majority (44 (88%)) had poor knowledge on danger symptoms, danger signs, and complications in pregnancy. Health posts, which are the operational units for HEWs, did not have basic infrastructures like water supply, electricity, and waiting rooms for women in labor. On average within 6 months, a HEW assisted in 5.8 births. Only a few births (10%) were assisted at the health posts, the majority (82%) were assisted at home and only 20% of HEWs received professional assistance from a midwife.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Considering the poor knowledge of HEWs, poorly equipped health posts, and poor referral systems, it is difficult for HEWs to play a key role in improving health facility deliveries, skilled birth attendance, and on-time referral through early identification of danger signs. Hence, there is an urgent need to design appropriate strategies to improve the performance of HEWs by enhancing their knowledge and competencies, while creating appropriate working conditions.</p> |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T10:35:50Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-41233c6bd7d345b6a44c7813c315c426 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1478-4491 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T10:35:50Z |
| publishDate | 2012-11-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Human Resources for Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-41233c6bd7d345b6a44c7813c315c4262022-12-22T02:50:03ZengBMCHuman Resources for Health1478-44912012-11-011014410.1186/1478-4491-10-44Knowledge and performance of the Ethiopian health extension workers on antenatal and delivery care: a cross-sectional studyMedhanyie ArayaSpigt MarkDinant GeertJanBlanco Roman<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In recognition of the critical shortage of human resources within health services, community health workers have been trained and deployed to provide primary health care in developing countries. However, very few studies have investigated whether these health workers can provide good quality of care. This study investigated the knowledge and performance of health extension workers (HEWs) on antenatal and delivery care. The study also explored the barriers and facilitators for HEWs in the provision of maternal health care.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In conducting this research, a cross-sectional study was performed. A total of 50 HEWs working in 39 health posts, covering a population of approximately 195,000 people, were interviewed. Descriptive statistics was used and a composite score of knowledge of HEWs was made and interpreted based on the Ethiopian education scoring system.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Almost half of the respondents had at least 5 years of work experience as a HEW. More than half (27 (54%)) of the HEWs had poor knowledge on contents of antenatal care counseling, and the majority (44 (88%)) had poor knowledge on danger symptoms, danger signs, and complications in pregnancy. Health posts, which are the operational units for HEWs, did not have basic infrastructures like water supply, electricity, and waiting rooms for women in labor. On average within 6 months, a HEW assisted in 5.8 births. Only a few births (10%) were assisted at the health posts, the majority (82%) were assisted at home and only 20% of HEWs received professional assistance from a midwife.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Considering the poor knowledge of HEWs, poorly equipped health posts, and poor referral systems, it is difficult for HEWs to play a key role in improving health facility deliveries, skilled birth attendance, and on-time referral through early identification of danger signs. Hence, there is an urgent need to design appropriate strategies to improve the performance of HEWs by enhancing their knowledge and competencies, while creating appropriate working conditions.</p>http://www.human-resources-health.com/content/10/1/44Community health workersHealth extension workersAntenatal carePrimary health careMaternal health care |
| spellingShingle | Medhanyie Araya Spigt Mark Dinant GeertJan Blanco Roman Knowledge and performance of the Ethiopian health extension workers on antenatal and delivery care: a cross-sectional study Human Resources for Health Community health workers Health extension workers Antenatal care Primary health care Maternal health care |
| title | Knowledge and performance of the Ethiopian health extension workers on antenatal and delivery care: a cross-sectional study |
| title_full | Knowledge and performance of the Ethiopian health extension workers on antenatal and delivery care: a cross-sectional study |
| title_fullStr | Knowledge and performance of the Ethiopian health extension workers on antenatal and delivery care: a cross-sectional study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Knowledge and performance of the Ethiopian health extension workers on antenatal and delivery care: a cross-sectional study |
| title_short | Knowledge and performance of the Ethiopian health extension workers on antenatal and delivery care: a cross-sectional study |
| title_sort | knowledge and performance of the ethiopian health extension workers on antenatal and delivery care a cross sectional study |
| topic | Community health workers Health extension workers Antenatal care Primary health care Maternal health care |
| url | http://www.human-resources-health.com/content/10/1/44 |
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