Health extension program implementation in improving mother and child health: Achievements and challenges in the case of Bakello Kebele Administration, Amhara Region, North Shoa Zone

Abstract

Background: - To meet the 4th and the 5th millennium development goal the government Ethiopia has developed different policies and strategies. Health extension program is one of the strategies started to implement at kebele level to improve mothers and children health. What success achieved and what challenges faced during the implementation of extension program in Bakello kebele of Bassona worana woreda was the motive of this research. Objective: - what achievements are recorded and what challenges faced since the implementation of health extension program to improve mother and child health in Bakello kebele administration. Methods: - the study was conducted in Amhara region, North Shoa Zone, Bassona worana Woreda Bakello kebele from October – November 2013. The study populations were mothers who have children under five years, health development army and health extension workers who live in Bakello and health extension supervisor and health center head who directly involved in the implementation of health extension program in the kebele. The data was collected by using questioner, FGD and interview. Data analysis was done by using percentage and qualitative analysis. Result: - 72 respondents participated in providing response for structured questioners, FGD and interviews. Based on this, the finding discloses that there are a number of improvement on health status of maternal services provision, children and mothers vaccination, personal and 8 environmental hygiene, nutritional status of children after the implementation of health extension program in the kebele. ,. On the other hand there are still a number of obstacles that challenged effective implementation of maternal and child health in the kebele. Availing quality services in the health institutions and awareness problem on the child and mother health are still areas that need further improvement.