ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To examine the prevalence, determinants, and impact of local school health management committees on implementation of minimum-recommended school health services delivery among basic and secondary schools in Ghana. METHODS: National level cross-sectional data from the first-ever assessment of Ghana Global-School Health Policies and Practices Survey was utilized. Complex sample analyses were used to quantify school-level implementation of recommended minimum package for health services delivery. RESULTS: Of 307 schools, 98% were basic and government run, and 33% offered at least half of the recommended health service delivery areas measured. Schools with a school health management committee (53%) were 4.8 (95% CI = 3.23-5.18) times as likely to offer at least 50% of the minimum health services package than schools that did not. CONCLUSIONS: There is significant deficit concerning delivery of school health services in schools across Ghana. However, school health management committees positively impact implementation of health service delivery. POLICY IMPLICATIONS: School health management committees provide a significant impact on delivery of school health services; thus, it is recommended that policy makers and programmers place greater emphasis on the value and need for these advisory boards in all Ghanaian schools.
