scholarly journals Through service providers’ eyes: health systems factors affecting implementation of tuberculosis control in Enugu State, South-eastern Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Chukwuemeka Ogbuabor
Keyword(s):  
Service Delivery ◽  
Health System ◽  
Health Systems ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Control Programme ◽  
Health Systems Strengthening ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Tb Control ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Enugu State

Abstract Background Well-functioning health systems are essential to achieving global and national tuberculosis (TB) control targets. This study examined health system factors affecting implementation of TB control programme from the perspectives of service providers. Methods The study was conducted in Enugu State, South-eastern Nigeria using qualitative, cross-sectional design involving 23 TB service providers (13 district TB supervisors and 10 facility TB focal persons). Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews using a health system dynamic framework and analysed thematically. Results Stewardship from National TB Control Programme (NTP) improved governance of TB control, but stewardship from local government was weak. Government spending on TB control was inadequate, whereas donors fund TB control. Poor human resources management practices hindered TB service delivery. TB service providers have poor capacity for data management because changes in recording and reporting tools were not matched with training of service providers. Drugs and other supplies to TB treatment centres were interrupted despite the use of a logistics agency. Poor integration of TB into general health services, weak laboratory capacity, withdrawal of subsidies to community volunteers and patent medicine vendors, poorly funded patient tracking systems, and ineffectual TB/HIV collaboration resulted in weak organisation of TB service delivery. Conclusion Health systems strengthening for TB control service must focus on effective oversight from NTP and local health system; predictable domestic resource mobilisation through budgets and social health insurance; training and incentives to attract and retain TB service providers; effective supply and TB drug management; and improvements in organization of service delivery.

scholarly journals Through service providers’ eyes: health systems factors affecting implementation of tuberculosis control in Enugu State, South-eastern Nigeria

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Chukwuemeka Ogbuabor
Keyword(s):  
Service Delivery ◽  
Health System ◽  
Health Systems ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Control Programme ◽  
Health Systems Strengthening ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Tb Control ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Enugu State

Abstract Background Well-functioning health systems are essential to achieving global and national tuberculosis (TB) control targets. This study examined health system factors affecting implementation of TB control programme from the perspectives of service providers. Methods The study was conducted in Enugu State, South-eastern Nigeria using qualitative, cross-sectional design involving 23 TB service providers (13 district TB supervisors and 10 facility TB focal persons). Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews using a health system dynamic framework and analysed thematically. Results Stewardship from National TB Control Programme (NTP) improved governance of TB control, but stewardship from local government was weak. Government spending on TB control was inadequate, whereas donors fund TB control. Poor human resources management practices hindered TB service delivery. TB service providers have poor capacity for data management because changes in recording and reporting tools were not matched with training of service providers. Drugs and other supplies to TB treatment centres were interrupted despite the use of a logistics agency. Poor integration of TB into general health services, weak laboratory capacity, withdrawal of subsidies to community volunteers and patent medicine vendors, poorly funded patient tracking systems, and ineffectual TB/HIV collaboration resulted in weak organisation of TB service delivery. Conclusion Health systems strengthening for TB control service must focus on effective oversight from NTP and local health system; predictable domestic resource mobilisation through budgets and social health insurance; training and incentives to attract and retain TB service providers; effective supply and TB drug management; and improvements in organization of service delivery.

scholarly journals Current Status and Future Directions of mHealth Interventions for Health System Strengthening in India: Systematic Review (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abhinav Bassi ◽  
Oommen John ◽  
Devarsetty Praveen ◽  
Pallab K Maulik ◽  
Rajmohan Panda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Service Delivery ◽  
Health System ◽  
Health Systems ◽  
Health Care Delivery ◽  
Care Delivery ◽  
Health Systems Strengthening ◽  
Noncommunicable Disease ◽  
Health Initiatives

BACKGROUND With the exponential increase in mobile phone users in India, a large number of public health initiatives are leveraging information technology and mobile devices for health care delivery. Given the considerable financial and human resources being invested in these initiatives, it is important to ascertain their role in strengthening health care systems. OBJECTIVE We undertook this review to identify the published mobile health (mHealth) or telemedicine initiatives in India in terms of their current role in health systems strengthening. The review classifies these initiatives based on the disease areas, geographical distribution, and target users and assesses the quality of the available literature. METHODS A search of the literature was done to identify mHealth or telemedicine articles published between January 1997 and June 2017 from India. The electronic bibliographic databases and registries searched included MEDLINE, EMBASE, Joanna Briggs Institute Database, and Clinical Trial Registry of India. The World Health Organization health system building block framework was used to categorize the published initiatives as per their role in the health system. Quality assessment of the selected articles was done using the Cochrane risk of bias assessment and National Institutes of Health, US tools. RESULTS The combined search strategies yielded 2150 citations out of which 318 articles were included (primary research articles=125; reviews and system architectural, case studies, and opinion articles=193). A sharp increase was seen after 2012, driven primarily by noncommunicable disease–focused articles. Majority of the primary studies had their sites in the south Indian states, with no published articles from Jammu and Kashmir and north-eastern parts of India. Service delivery was the primary focus of 57.6% (72/125) of the selected articles. A majority of these articles had their focus on 1 (36.0%, 45/125) or 2 (45.6%, 57/125) domains of health system, most frequently service delivery and health workforce. Initiatives commonly used client education as a tool for improving the health system. More than 91.2% (114/125) of the studies, which lacked a sample size justification, had used convenience sampling. Methodological rigor of the selected trials (n=11) was assessed to be poor as majority of the studies had a high risk for bias in at least 2 categories. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, mHealth initiatives are being increasingly tested to improve health care delivery in India. Our review highlights the poor quality of the current evidence base and an urgent need for focused research aimed at generating high-quality evidence on the efficacy, user acceptability, and cost-effectiveness of mHealth interventions aimed toward health systems strengthening. A pragmatic approach would be to include an implementation research component into the existing and proposed digital health initiatives to support the generation of evidence for health systems strengthening on strategically important outcomes.

scholarly journals Knowledge and perceptions of national and provincial tuberculosis control programme managers in Pakistan about the WHO Stop TB strategy: a qualitative study

JRSM Open ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 205427041667508 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wasiq Mehmood Khan ◽  
Helen Smith ◽  
Ejaz Qadeer ◽  
Sondus Hassounah
Keyword(s):  
Control Programme ◽  
Health Systems Strengthening ◽  
Hiv Care ◽  
Political Commitment ◽  
Tuberculosis Control ◽  
Tb Control ◽  
Provincial Level ◽  
Tuberculosis Control Programme ◽  
Tuberculosis Programme ◽  
Stop Tb Strategy

Objective To understand how national and provincial tuberculosis programme managers in Pakistan perceive and engage with the Stop TB strategy, its strengths, weaknesses and their experience in its implementation. National and provincial tuberculosis programme managers play an important role in effective implementation of the Stop TB strategy. Design A qualitative interview study was conducted with 10 national and provincial tuberculosis programme managers to understand how they perceive and engage with the Stop TB strategy, its strengths, weaknesses and their experience in its implementation. Managers were selected purposively; 10 managers were interviewed (six national staff and four from provincial level). Participants National and provincial tuberculosis programme managers in Pakistan. Managers were selected purposively; 10 managers were interviewed (six national staff and four from provincial level). Setting National and provincial tuberculosis programmes in Pakistan Main outcome measures 1. Knowledge and perceptions of national and provincial tuberculosis programme managers about the Stop TB strategy 2. Progress in implementing the strategy in Pakistan 3. Significant success factors 4. Significant implementation challenges 5. Lessons learnt to scale up successful implementation. Results The managers reported that most progress had been made in extending DOTS, health systems strengthening, public -private mixed interventions, MDR-TB care and TB/HIV care. The four factors that contributed significantly to progress were the availability of DOTS services, the public-private partnership approach, comprehensive guidance for TB control and government and donor commitment to TB control. Conclusion This study identified three main challenges as perceived by national and provincial tuberculosis programme managers in terms of implementing the Stop TB strategy: 1. Inadequate political commitment, 2. Issue pertaining to prioritisation of certain components in the TB strategy over others due to external influences and 3. Limitations in the overall health system. To improve the tuberculosis control programme in the country political commitment needs to be enhanced and public -private partnerships increased. This can be done through government prioritisation of TB control at both national and provincial levels; donor-funded components should not receive undue attention; and partnerships with the private health sector, health institutions not yet covered by DOTS services, non-governmental organisations and patient coalitions should be increased.

scholarly journals Stakeholders’ perceptions of child and adolescent mental health services in a South African district – a qualitative study.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gbotemi Bukola Babatunde ◽  
André Janse van Rensburg ◽  
Arvin Bhana ◽  
Inge Petersen
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
South African ◽  
Health Systems ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Adolescent Mental Health ◽  
Child And Adolescent ◽  
Health Systems Strengthening ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Intersectoral Collaboration ◽  
Mental Health Systems

Abstract Background: In order to develop a district child and adolescent mental health (CAMH) plan, it is vital to engage with a range of stakeholders involved in providing CAMH services, given the complexities associated with delivering such services. Hence this study sought to explore multisectoral dynamics in providing CAMH care in one resource-constrained South African district as a case study, towards informing the development of a model for district mental health plan and generating lessons for mental health systems strengthening to support CAMH services using the Health Systems Dynamics (HSD) framework. HSD provides a suitable structure for analysing interactions between different elements within the health system and other sectors.Methods: Purposive sampling of 60 key informants was conducted to obtain an in-depth understanding of various stakeholders’ experiences and perceptions of the available CAMH services in the district. The participants include stakeholders from the Departments of Health (DoH), Basic Education (DBE), community-based/non-governmental organizations and caregivers of children receiving CAMH care. The data was categorized according to the elements of the HSD framework.Results: The HSD framework helped in identifying the components of the health systems that are necessary for CAMH service delivery. At a district level, the shortage of human resources, un-coordinated CAMH management system, lack of intersectoral collaboration and the low priority given to the CAMH system negatively impacts on the service providers’ experiences of providing CAMH services. Services users experiences of access to available CAMH services was negatively impacted by financial restrictions, low mental health literacy and stigmatization. Nevertheless, the study participants perceived the available CAMH specialists to be competent and dedicated to delivering quality services but will benefit from systems strengthening initiatives that can expand the workforce and equip non-specialists with the required skills, resources and adequate coordination.Conclusions: The need to develop the capacity of all the involved stakeholders in relation to CAMH services was imperative in the district. The need to create a mental health outreach team and equip teachers and caregivers with skills required to promote mental wellbeing, promptly identify CAMH conditions, refer appropriately and adhere to a management regimen was emphasized.

scholarly journals Building health system resilience in the context of primary health care revitalization for attainment of UHC: proceedings from the Fifth Health Sector Directors’ Policy and Planning Meeting for the WHO African Region

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (S19) ◽  
Author(s):  
Prosper Tumusiime ◽  
Humphrey Karamagi ◽  
Regina Titi-Ofei ◽  
Michelle Amri ◽  
Aminata Binetou Wahebine Seydi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
Health System ◽  
Health Systems ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Health Systems Strengthening ◽  
Health Coverage ◽  
African Region ◽  
Health Service Provision ◽  
Primary Health

Abstract Background The recent 2018 Declaration of Astana recognized primary health care (PHC) as a means to achieve universal health coverage (UHC) and the health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Following this declaration, country progress on operationalization of the PHC agenda and attainment of UHC has been stalled by the new challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has also disrupted the continuity of essential health service provision and tested the resilience of the region’s health systems. Methods In accordance with this, the WHO Regional Office for Africa convened the Fifth Health Sector Directors’ Planning and Policy Meeting across the 47 Member States of the Region. The two-day forum focused on building health system resilience to facilitate service continuity during health threats, PHC revitalization, and health systems strengthening towards UHC. Results The Regional Forum provided evidence on building resilient health systems in the WHO African Region and engaged participants in meaningful and critical discussion. It is from these discussions that four key themes emerged: (1) working multisectorally/intersectorally, (2) moving from fragmentation to integration, (3) ensuring implementation and knowledge exchange, and (4) rethinking resilience and embracing antifragility. These discussions and associated groupings by thematic areas lend themselves to recommendations for the WHO. Conclusions This paper details the proceedings and key findings on building resilient health systems, the four themes that emerged from participant deliberation, and the recommendations that have emerged from the meeting. Deliberations from the Regional Forum are critical, as they have the potential to directly inform policy and program design, given that the meeting convenes health sector technocrats, who are at the helm of policy design, action, and implementation.

scholarly journals What Health System Challenges Should Responsible Innovation in Health Address? Insights From an International Scoping Review

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 63-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pascale Lehoux ◽  
Federico Roncarolo ◽  
Hudson Pacifico Silva ◽  
Antoine Boivin ◽  
Jean-Louis Denis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Service Delivery ◽  
Human Resources ◽  
Health System ◽  
Health Systems ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Distribution Systems ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
System Level ◽  
Responsible Innovation

Background: While responsible innovation in health (RIH) suggests that health innovations could be purposefully designed to better support health systems, little is known about the system-level challenges that it should address. The goal of this paper is thus to document what is known about health systems’ demand for innovations. Methods: We searched 8 databases to perform a scoping review of the scientific literature on health system challenges published between January 2000 and April 2016. The challenges reported in the articles were classified using the dynamic health system framework. The countries where the studies had been conducted were grouped using the human development index (HDI). Frequency distributions and qualitative content analysis were performed. Results: Up to 1391 challenges were extracted from 254 articles examining health systems in 99 countries. Across countries, the most frequently reported challenges pertained to: service delivery (25%), human resources (23%), and leadership and governance (21%). Our analyses indicate that innovations tend to increase challenges associated to human resources by affecting the nature and scope of their tasks, skills and responsibilities, to exacerbate service delivery issues when they are meant to be used by highly skilled providers and call for accountable governance of their dissemination, use and reimbursement. In countries with a low and medium HDI, problems arising with infrastructure, logistics and equipment were described in connection with challenges affecting procurement, supply and distribution systems. In countries with a medium and high HDI, challenges included a growing demand for drugs and new technology and the management of rising costs. Across all HDI groups, the need for flexible information technologies (IT) solutions to reach rural areas was underscored. Conclusion: Highlighting challenges that are common across countries, this study suggests that RIH should aim to reduce the cost of innovation production processes and attend not only to the requirements of the immediate clinical context of use, but also to the vulnerabilities of the broader system wherein innovations are deployed. Policy-makers should translate system-level demand signals into innovation development opportunities since it is imperative to foster innovations that contribute to the success and sustainability of health systems.

scholarly journals A cross-sectional study on the pursuit of happiness among healthcare workers in the context of health systems strengthening: The case of Meru County, Kenya.

F1000Research ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 163
Author(s):  
Rose Nabi Deborah Karimi Muthuri ◽  
Flavia Senkubuge ◽  
Charles Hongoro
Keyword(s):  
Health System ◽  
Health Systems ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Public Hospitals ◽  
Health Systems Strengthening ◽  
Physical Work ◽  
Water Type ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Orientations To Happiness ◽  
Significant Factors

Background: Happiness is one of the ultimate goals of every human being. Happiness is a significant factor of health system efficiency. Healthcare workers are at the core of every health system. However, up-to-date literature on happiness among healthcare workers is limited. The purpose of this study is to investigate the factors influencing the self-assessed happiness among healthcare workers in public and mission hospitals in Meru County, Kenya.  Methods: Using a cross-sectional design, a total of 553 healthcare workers in 24 hospitals completed the Orientations to Happiness questionnaire between June and July 2020.   Results: Healthcare workers’ overall happiness was significantly different between hospitals of public and mission ownership (p<0.05). The orientations to happiness mean scores of both pursuits of pleasure and meaning were significantly different between public and mission hospitals  (p<0.05). However, there were no statistically significant differences in the pursuit of engagement among the healthcare workers between public and mission hospitals (p<0.05).  In both public and mission hospitals, income and the type of toiletry facility were significant factors of overall happiness (p<0.05 or p<0.1). In mission hospitals, eight more variables were statistically significant factors of overall happiness namely type of employment, occurrence of water unavailability, safe drinking water, acceptable main source of water, type of toiletry facility, hospital disposal of garbage, availability of water for hand washing, and overall safety of the hospital working environment (p<0.05 or p<0.1). In public hospitals, additional statistically significant factors of overall happiness were qualification level, and a functional workplace safety and health committee (p<0.05 or p<0.1).  Conclusion: Demographic, work-related, and physical work environment factors significantly contribute to healthcare workers overall happiness in both mission and public hospitals. The findings present possible areas of focus for policy and practical implications related to healthcare workers’ happiness aimed at health workforce and health systems strengthening in Kenya.

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