"PHC Leadership: Are Health Centres in Good Hands?Perspectives from 3 districts in Malawi"""

ABSTRACT

"The study aimed to document the kinds of leadership styles are practiced at health centres (H/C) and how these styles can be explained by the contexts; characteristics of the health centre in charge (IC) and subordinate trained health staff (STHS). Methods A well-researched leadership style model was applied; which included task; relation and change styles. This is a cross-sectional study using self-administered questionnaires in 47 H/C in 3 districts. 347 STHSs (95) and 46 ICs (98) responded. Questions explored background data and perceived leadership behaviour. Style items were factor analysed; and bivariate analyses and hierarchical regressions determined how styles could be explained. Results Two leadership styles were revealed ""Trans""style contained all relation and the majority of task and change items; ""Control"" style focused on health statistics (Health Management Information System); reporting and evaluation. STHS and IC had a median age/median work experience of 34/5 years and 38;5/2 years; respectively. 48"