Factors affecting performance of village health team members in Bukwo District

Abstract

Background: Village Health Teams (VHTs) are community based structures whose members promote health and wellbeing of people in the community on a voluntary basis. The performance of the VHT members in Bukwo district was not known and the factors that affect their performance were not known either. This study generated information on the factors that affect performance of VHT members and will guide the District Health Team devise effective strategies of enhancing their performance. Objectives: The main objective was to establish the factors that affect performance of Village Health Team members in Bukwo District. Methods: A cross-sectional study using both quantitative and qualitative research methods was used. A semi structured interviewer – administered questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data as well as a key informant guide and FGD guide to collect qualitative data from key informants and FGDs respectively. A sample of 384 was selected using simple random sampling. The data was analyzed using SPSS at univariate and bivariate levels while qualitative data was analyzed using content analysis. Results: There were more female respondents (54.9%), with 49.7% having a mean age of 35 years (±5 years). The median performance among VHT members was 2 (scale 0 -10). There was a positive relationship between training (rs =0.248; p < 0.01), supervision (rs =0.192; p < 0.01), attending meetings (rs =0.131; p < 0.05), non-financial incentives (rs =0.205; p < 0.01) with performance while financial incentives were negatively related to performance (rs = - 0.166; p < 0.01). Conclusion: Performance of VHT members was poor. Efforts to improve training, supervision, attendance of meetings with health workers and provide non-financial incentives are needed to improve performance.