Abstract

Background: In an attempt to maximise use of local resources and build sense of ownership, health related government departments and donor agencies prefer to engage community-based health organisations (CBHOs) to design and implement health programmes at community level. Some CBHOs perform effectively in implementing community health programmes, while others fail. Objective: This study attempts to establish whether good performance of CBHOs in Mangochi District, is influenced by application of a set of seven elements namely; community involvement, means of accessibility, means of increasing resource availability, programme acceptability, information system, intersectoral collaboration, and administrative capacity. Method: Thirty-six, randomly selected CBHOs were classified into successful and non-successful CBHOs as assessed by local communities themselves, using Focus Group Discussion survey instrument. A coded checklist (see annex 1) was administered to executive committee members of the selected CBHOs to find whether the CBHO apply the elements and to what extent. Findings from the coded checklist were tabulated and analysed using logistic regression, to establish whether there is association between application of these elements and good performance of the CBHO. Findings and Conclusion: The study established that the application of the elements has a positive influence on performance of CBHOs. Based on the findings, it is concluded that CBHOs need to apply the elements if they are to improve on the way they function.

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School	: Not specified
Issued Date	: 2007

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