ASSESSMENT OF ACHIEVEMENTS AND CHALLENGES OF IMPLEMENTING HEALTH EXTENSION PROGRAMME IN ENSARO DESTRICT, NORTH-EAST ETHIOPIA

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the achievements and challenges of implementing Health Extension Program in Ensaro District of North-East Ethiopia. To this end, both quantitative and qualitative research methods were employed using structured interview schedules and interview guides, as well as observation schedule to collect data from 75 households and to generate data from the key informants and the settings of the study area. The quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS software, while the qualitative data were analyzed by using thematic as well as content analysis. The study found out that the targeted households benefitted from hygiene and environmental sanitation, and from disease prevention and control services, particularly the construction, usage and maintenance of sanitary latrine as well as family planning packages. The majority of the beneficiaries thought that achievement of the HEP’s services provided were sufficient and satisfactory. However, there were mixed pictures regarding the factors challenging the implementation of HEP. The respondents didn’t know any outstanding challenges, but the key informants expressed some challenges related to turnover of staffs, as well as from different stakeholders. Generally, the study concludes that the implementation of the HEP in Ensaro District can be rated as satisfactory, sufficient and it is to acceptable standards. Therefore it is suggested that stakeholders at different levels should work in close collaboration and shoulder to shoulder in order to effectively perform each responsibility to reach at the most satisfactory levels in providing all packages under the four components of the HEP in the intervention area(s).