Functionality Of Community-Based Health Planning Services (Chps)Implementation Structures In Atwima Kwanwoma District Of The Ashanti

Abstract

Introduction

Community-based Health Planning and Service (CHPS) is a national strategy adopted by the MOH/GHS to deliver primary health care at the community and household levels, the focus was on how to maximize the under-utilized social resources of the community organization, chieftaincy lineage, and social networks which can be mobilized for volunteer health services. A successful deployment of this service package depends on the functionality of CHMCs, SHMTs, DHC/DHMT & CHPS Compound, and the contributions of major stakeholders. The objective was to assess the influence of stakeholders’ participation in terms of knowledge and funding.

Methodology: A quantitative study was conducted by taking a census of all the stakeholders in the district through the administration semi-structured questionnaires. A descriptive analysis of the data was done using SPSS to determine the functionality of the structures.

Results:  The study shows that 97.8% of the respondents have visited the CHPS compound to access health care, and 98.9% know the CHPS policy. The functionality of the CHPS structures indicates a major weakness in SHMTs, where only 48.9% of the respondents said the SHMT conducts quarterly supportive visits to the CHPS compounds. Also, only 55.2% of the respondents confirmed the conduct of CHMC meetings and community durbar. In terms of contributions of stakeholders, only 47.8% of respondents said CHPS compounds have a bank account, 46.7% said district CHPS review meetings were conducted, and 53.3% said there are CHPS zones without Compounds. In conclusion, the weaknesses in the functionality of CHPS structures are due to low community participation and ownership of the CHPS policy. The weakest link between the CHMC and DHMT is the SHMT. This affirms the need for the contribution of funds and knowledge to improve CHPS functionality and universal primary health coverage.