An Evaluation of Expanded Programme on Immunization and the Factors Influencing Community Participation (Case Study of Elimina Sub-district)
CHAPTER ONE
Objective Of Study
The following are primary objectives of the study:
- To assess the extent of community involvement in EPI.
- To examine if community members in the Elimina sub-district participate in EPI differently depending on their educational level.
- To investigate community-based factors influencing community participation in the EPI programme in Elimina sub district.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Introduction
The purpose of this study was to find out the factors influencing community participation in EPI in Elmina sub-District of Ghana. This chapter examines the literature on community participation in the EPI programme. The review involved the systematic identification, location and analysis of documents containing information related to the research problem. The essence of this review was partly to provide a framework which constituted the basis for investigating factors influencing community participation on the EPI programme and drawing similarities and differences between the current study and those of other writers and researchers. It helps delineate some of the variables that form the bedrock of this study. Literature was reviewed under some selected headings. These headings were chosen because the research questions and hypothesis were formulated from them. The literature is organized around the following sub-headings;
- Meaning and Interpretations of Participation
- Types of Community Participation
- Theories of People’s Participation
- Factors Affecting People’s Participation
- Classification and Analysis of Participation
- Scope of EPI Programmes
- Conceptual Framework.
Meanings and Interpretations of Participation
Participation is a broad concept and has been given diverse meanings and interpretation which have translated into various approaches in its practice (Bhuyan, 2004; Draper, Hewitt & Rifkin, 2010). Community participation is defined as the process by which individuals; families, groups and the entire community assume responsibility for their own health in developing the capacity to contribute to solving their own and the community health problems (Oakley, 1988). Community participation is therefore viewed as a set of group or people living together in a place with a common ideas, goals and objectives actively involving or being part in programmes pooling resource (Zakus, 1998), there is no single definition of participation by communities but, rather, a potpourri of definitions varying mostly by the degree of participation (Bhuyan, 2004; Draper et al., 2010). There are mountains of challenges incorporating community participation into health promotion programmes.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
In this chapter, we described the research procedure for this study. A research methodology is a research process adopted or employed to systematically and scientifically present the results of a study to the research audience viz. a vis, the study beneficiaries.
RESEARCH DESIGN
Research designs are perceived to be an overall strategy adopted by the researcher whereby different components of the study are integrated in a logical manner to effectively address a research problem. In this study, the researcher employed the survey research design. This is due to the nature of the study whereby the opinion and views of people are sampled. According to Singleton & Straits, (2009), Survey research can use quantitative research strategies (e.g., using questionnaires with numerically rated items), qualitative research strategies (e.g., using open-ended questions), or both strategies (i.e., mixed methods). As it is often used to describe and explore human behaviour, surveys are therefore frequently used in social and psychological research.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents the analysis of data derived through the questionnaire and key informant interview administered on the respondents in the study area. The analysis and interpretation were derived from the findings of the study. The data analysis depicts the simple frequency and percentage of the respondents as well as interpretation of the information gathered. A total of eighty (80) questionnaires were administered to respondents of which only seventy-seven (77) were returned and validated. This was due to irregular, incomplete and inappropriate responses to some questionnaire. For this study a total of 77 was validated for the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain an evaluation of expanded programme on immunization and the factors influencing community participation. In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the challenges of expanded programme on immunization and the factors influencing community participation
Summary
This study was on an evaluation of expanded programme on immunization and the factors influencing community participation. Three objectives were raised which included: To assess the extent of community involvement in EPI, to examine if community members in the Elimina sub-district participate in EPI differently depending on their educational level and to investigate community-based factors influencing community participation in the EPI programme in Elimina sub district. A total of 77 responses were received and validated from the enrolled participants where all respondents were drawn from Elimina sub district. Hypothesis was tested using Chi-Square statistical tool (SPSS).
Conclusion
EPI programmes in Elmina Sub-District may not be achieving its goals, for covering as many children as possible to preventing preventable childhood killer diseases, due to low participation by the community members. Effective collaboration between implementers (health workers) and the receivers of community health interventions (community members) is very critical to achieving community health intervention project goals, thus, to enhance health status of the community members, especially among children.
Recommendation
- The health workers are encouraged to enhance their collaborative efforts between themselves and the community members in all stages of EPI programmes.
- Elmina Sub-District Health Directorate needs to step up efforts to providing health education to the community members on the EPI programmes and the need to actively partake in the programmes.
References
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