The Village Health Team Approach and Sustainability of Primary Health Care Systems in Uganda: A Case Study of Village Health Teams in Kasitu Sub-County, Bundibugyo District.

Abstract

KAIJUKA ROBERT (2008-MO92-20057) The Village Health Team Approach and Sustainability of Primary Health Care Systems in Uganda: A Case Study of Village Health Teams in Kasitu Sub-County, Bundibugyo District. This study was an examination of the Village Health Team (VHT) approach and its contribution to the sustainability of primary health care systems in Uganda. The study was to determine the relationship between the Village Health Team approach and education of people about health matters, to determine the relationship between the Village Health Team approach and promotion of food supply and proper nutrition, to determine the relationship between the Village Health Team approach and supply of safe water and basic sanitation measures, to determine the relationship between the Village Health Team approach and prevention and control of locally endemic diseases. The research design to be adopted in this study was a case study. Case studies emphasise detailed contextual analysis of a limited number of events or conditions and their relationships; it is a method of investigation in which self-report data collection from samples of pre-determined interests can be done. The researcher employed both quantitative and qualitative research methods. In this way, data collection is accurate especially that the information points are clearly specified. In-depth interviews were used to collect qualitative data while the survey questionnaires were used to collect quantitative data. Quantitative methods were used to obtain quantifiable data while qualitative methods were used to investigate respondents‟ views and attitudes regarding the limitations and practical possibilities towards sustainable community based health volunteer programmes. Most of the respondents revealed that the performance of VHT was poor whereas some revealed the performance was fair but a good number noted that the performance of VHT in enhancing primary health care was good. This implied that Village Health Team approach has not fully impacted primary health care in Kasitu sub-county. Some of the reasons given for the findings above include inadequate resources to support the activities of VHTs through continued capacity building of the teams, allowances for the volunteer VHTs to motivate them and inconsistent supervision by health staff in the district. Respondents, however, noted that the Village Health Team approach has gone a long way in promoting a community effort in health promotion at village and household level leading to improved primary health care in communities. Basing on the research findings, the researcher recommended that there is need for the government and partners of Village Health Team approach to educate the people about health matters through consistent maintenance of educational programmes, adult education sessions, and community participation to help the masses to have knowledge about maintaining health matters. Key Words: Village Health Team, Approach and Sustainability, Primary Health Care Systems, Bundibugyo District.