Quality of integrated community case management services at public health posts, Southwest Ethiopia

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to assess the quality of an integrated community case management service (ICCM) and associated factors at health posts in Ethiopia. Design and methodsInstitution-based cross-sectional study design was conducted in the health posts of Jimma zone. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and in-depth interviews. Binary logistic regression was used to identify independent predictors of client satisfaction on services and the qualitative data were presented by triangulating with quantitative findings. ResultsThis study indicated that 80%, 65% and 55% of health extension workers (HEW) correctly assessed cases, classified cases and prescribed drugs of ICCM cases respectively. Some caregivers (40.2%) knew about danger signs which they heard from HEWs (81.9%). More than one-fourth (29.01%) of caregivers reported that their children were exposed to illness like diarrhea (39.1%) in the last two weeks. HEWs have demonstrated to a large number of caregivers (66%) how to give medications. Being a housewife [AOR = 0.17(0.05,0.56)], having a farmer husband[AOR = 3.77(1.09,12.98)] and having a government employed husband [AOR = 5.32(1.03,27.48)] were significantly associated with ICCM services. ConclusionsMore than half of health extension workers correctly assessed, classified and prescribed drugs for ICCM cases. Some caregivers knew about danger signs which the majority of them heard from health extension workers. Being a housewife and paternal occupation were significantly associated with clients' satisfaction in ICCM services. Practice implicationsFindings of this study can be used to guide the development of programs to improve integrated community case management service in Ethiopia by informing policymakers and other stakeholders about challenges of ICCM services.