Ethiopian Health Extension Workers' Training Status and Perceived Competency
Ethiop. j. health sci
; 33(1): 49-62, 2023. tables
Article
in English
| AIM (Africa)
| ID: biblio-1426226
Responsible library:
CG1.1
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Training and work experience are critical inputs for delivering quality health services. However, no nationwide assessment has been conducted on the status of training and the competency of Health Extension Workers (HEWs). Therefore, this study aimed to assess HEWs' pre service training status and perceived competency in Ethiopia.METHODS:
The study was conducted in all regions and all HEWs training institutions in Ethiopia. We used cross sectional study design with a mixed method approach that included 585 HEWs, 1,245 HEW trainees, 192 instructors, and 43 key informants. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis were used to analyse quantitative and quantitative data respectively.RESULT:
Twenty-six percent of the HEWs said that they were competent to deliver all the HEP activities, and 73% of the HEWs said that they could confidently deliver 75% of the HEP activities. Receiving in-service training and having level III/IV qualifications are positively associated with the competency of HEWs. Similarly, HEP trainees perceived themselves as highly competent in executing their professional work, except in using computer and mobile health technology. Both instructors and trainees rated the quality of the curriculum and course materials positively. However, basic services and facilities in most training institutions were perceived to be inadequate. Additionally, individual learning, problem-solving, case-analysis, and assessment methods such as project work and portfolios were rarely practiced.CONCLUSIONS:
Although the perceived competence of HEW trainees is high, the HEWs' training is not provided as per the curriculum because of limited resources. All the necessary resources should be made available to produce competent HEWs
Full text:
Available
Health context:
SDG3 - Target 3C: Increase health financing and the recruitment, development, training and retention of the health workforce
/
Sustainable Health Agenda for the Americas
Health problem:
Authority and Accountability for Healthcare Workers
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Goal 3 Human resources for health
Database:
AIM (Africa)
Main subject:
Primary Health Care
/
Community Health Workers
Type of study:
Observational study
/
Risk factors
Limits:
Humans
Language:
English
Journal:
Ethiop. j. health sci
Year:
2023
Document type:
Article
Institution/Affiliation country:
College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University/ET
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College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Hawassa University/ET
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College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Aksum University/ET
/
College of Social Sciences and Humanities, Hawassa University/ET
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MERQ Consultancy PLC, Addis Ababa/ET
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MERQ Consultancy PLC, Addis Ababa,/ET
/
School of Psychology, Addis Ababa University/ET