Mesele Damte Argaw1,2, Thandisizwe Redford Mavundla3, Kassa Daka Gidebo4. 1. USAID Transform: Primary Health Care Activity, JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc. in Ethiopia, P.O. Box 1392, 1110, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. mdamte5@gmail.com. 2. Department of Health Studies, University of South Africa (UNISA), Pretoria, South Africa. mdamte5@gmail.com. 3. Department of Health Studies, University of South Africa (UNISA), Pretoria, South Africa. 4. School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences and Medicine, Welaita Sodo University, Wolaita Sodo, Ethiopia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Malaria is one of the most important public health problems in Ethiopia contributing to significant patient morbidity and mortality. Prompt diagnosis and effective malaria case management through public, private and community health facilities has been one of the key malaria prevention, control and elimination strategies. The objective of this study was to evaluate adult malaria patients and healthcare providers' perception of the quality of malaria management at private sector outpatient facilities. METHODS: An exploratory, descriptive, contextual and qualitative research methodology was conducted with 101 participants (33 in-depth interviews (INIs) and ten focus group discussions (FGDs) with 68 participants). All interview and focus group discussions were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed, using eight steps of Tesch. RESULTS: During data analysis a single theme, two categories and six sub-categories emerged, namely (1) perceived quality of malaria management at outpatient facilities; (a) essential resources; (a1) safe outpatient services; (a2) anti-malarial drugs and supplies; (a3) health workers; (b) factors influencing service utilization; (b1) physical accessibility; (b2) "art of care''; and (b3) efficient malaria diagnosis and treatment services. Both FGDs and INIs participants had a positive perception of the quality of malaria outpatient services at private health facilities. The positive perceptions include safe and clean facility; availability of supplies and comprehensive services; convenient working hours; short waiting hours and motivated, competent and compassionate health workers. However, some participants raised their safety concerns due to perceived poor infection control practices, small working areas, interruption of anti-malarial supplies and inefficient malaria diagnosis and treatment services. CONCLUSION: Both community members and healthcare providers had more positive perceptions towards outpatient malaria services offered at private health facilities. However, positive behaviour must be maintained and concerns must be dealt with by enhancing functional public private partnership for malaria care services to improve private sector malaria case management; build the service providers' capacity; ensure uninterrupted anti-malarial supplies and empower the community with early health-seeking behaviour.
BACKGROUND:Malaria is one of the most important public health problems in Ethiopia contributing to significant patient morbidity and mortality. Prompt diagnosis and effective malaria case management through public, private and community health facilities has been one of the key malaria prevention, control and elimination strategies. The objective of this study was to evaluate adult malariapatients and healthcare providers' perception of the quality of malaria management at private sector outpatient facilities. METHODS: An exploratory, descriptive, contextual and qualitative research methodology was conducted with 101 participants (33 in-depth interviews (INIs) and ten focus group discussions (FGDs) with 68 participants). All interview and focus group discussions were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed, using eight steps of Tesch. RESULTS: During data analysis a single theme, two categories and six sub-categories emerged, namely (1) perceived quality of malaria management at outpatient facilities; (a) essential resources; (a1) safe outpatient services; (a2) anti-malarial drugs and supplies; (a3) health workers; (b) factors influencing service utilization; (b1) physical accessibility; (b2) "art of care''; and (b3) efficient malaria diagnosis and treatment services. Both FGDs and INIs participants had a positive perception of the quality of malariaoutpatient services at private health facilities. The positive perceptions include safe and clean facility; availability of supplies and comprehensive services; convenient working hours; short waiting hours and motivated, competent and compassionate health workers. However, some participants raised their safety concerns due to perceived poor infection control practices, small working areas, interruption of anti-malarial supplies and inefficient malaria diagnosis and treatment services. CONCLUSION: Both community members and healthcare providers had more positive perceptions towards outpatientmalaria services offered at private health facilities. However, positive behaviour must be maintained and concerns must be dealt with by enhancing functional public private partnership for malaria care services to improve private sector malaria case management; build the service providers' capacity; ensure uninterrupted anti-malarial supplies and empower the community with early health-seeking behaviour.
Authors: Bereket Hailegiorgis; Samuel Girma; Zenebe Melaku; Takele Teshi; Leykun Demeke; Sintayehu Gebresellasie; Damtew Yadeta; Gudeta Tibesso; Nicole Whitehurst; Emanuel Yamo; Jane Carter; Richard Reithinger Journal: Trop Med Int Health Date: 2010-10-08 Impact factor: 2.622
Authors: D R S Ishengoma; R T Rwegoshora; K Y Mdira; M L Kamugisha; E O Anga; I C Bygbjerg; A M Rønn; S M Magesa Journal: Ann Trop Med Parasitol Date: 2009-07
Authors: Yahya A Derua; Deus Rs Ishengoma; Rwehumbiza T Rwegoshora; Filemoni Tenu; Julius J Massaga; Leonard Eg Mboera; Stephen M Magesa Journal: Malar J Date: 2011-04-06 Impact factor: 2.979
Authors: Alexander K Rowe; Gabriel F Ponce de León; Jules Mihigo; Ana Carolina F S Santelli; Nathan P Miller; Pedro Van-Dúnem Journal: Malar J Date: 2009-12-02 Impact factor: 2.979