Open AccessKnowledge of health rights and community participation in primary care
Author(s) -
Wubetu Agegnehu,
Msganaw Derese,
Amare Genetu,
Shewangizaw Hailemariam
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
british journal of health care management/british journal of healthcare management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.155
H-Index - 15
eISSN - 1759-7382
pISSN - 1358-0574
DOI - 10.12968/bjhc.2020.0173
Subject(s) - community health , health care , community participation , public health , primary health care , medicine , nursing , family medicine , political science , socioeconomics , sociology , law
Background/Aims Primary care providers are encouraged to promote community participation in care, so that patients are engaged in health priorities and solutions. This study assessed the level of knowledge regarding health rights and community participation in a town in Mizan-Aman, Ethiopia.Methods A community-based cross-sectional study design was used. A structured questionnaire was administered to 374 community health leaders assessing their knowledge of health rights and the level of community participation in primary care, according to five indicators: leadership, organisation, management, resource mobilisation and needs assessment.Results A total of 326 out of 374 questionnaires were returned. The majority (n=205, 62.9%) had limited knowledge of health rights, while 189 (58%) indicated poor community participation in primary healthcare. There was no significant association between knowledge of health rights and level of community participation.Conclusions Knowledge of health rights is generally lacking in these communities, as is public participation in primary care service planning. A community-based health education programme is needed to raise awareness of patient rights and enhance community participation in primary care.