AN EVALUATION OF THE COMMUNITY-BASED HEALTH PLANNING AND SERVICES (CHPS) IN THE BINDURI DISTRICT OF THE UPPER EAST REGION

Abstract

The Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) programme was adopted in 1999 as a national health policy to increase rural access to health care service while empowering local communities to take greater control over their health through the promotion of community-driven health care services with technical support from the central government. The objective of this study was to evaluate the CHPS programme in the Binduri district. The study used qualitative and quantitative methods. The primary respondents were mothers and caregivers of children between 0-59 months. District Assembly members, Community Health Officers and some opinion leaders of the communities were also interviewed. The study found out that 71.7% of mothers/caregivers often used the services of the CHPS. Involvement of health committees of the communities encouraged the use of the services (OR= 4.915, CI: 2.408-10.03, p<O.OOI). Visitation of" community members especially women by the CHOs encourages them to use health services (OR= 0.735, Cl: 0.573-0.941, p<O.O 15). The challenges to the provision of health care services in the CHPS compounds are lack of means of transport for both clients and service providers (OR= 1.2, Cl: 0.6-2.1, P< 0.001), and inadequate supply of drugs (OR= 0.3, CI: 0.1-0.6, p<0.02). The communities contributed in cash and kind to the construction of the CHPS compounds and are also involved in the planning of health services. The Binduri District Assembly supported in the construction of the CHPS compounds through funding however; they do not monitor the activities of the CHPS compounds. The CHPS programme has positively impacted the health of community members and through increased access of health services in the Binduri District. It is recommended that more CHPS compounds should be built in Binduri District by the Ghana Health Service and the District Assembly because some of the communities are far away from the health facilities making them to walk over 8Km as prescribed before accessing health care.