Files and links (1)
Published, Version of Record (VoR)CC BY V4.0, Open
Journal article
Acceptability and feasibility of inter-related activities to improve agency among African district health managers: A four-country study
Global public health, v 17(7), pp 1267-1281
08 May 2021
PMID: 34097583
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
District health managers (DHMs) lead and manage Ministry of Health programmes and system performance. We report on the acceptability and feasibility of inter-related activities to increase the agency of DHMs in Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa and Uganda using a cross-sectional rapid appraisal with 372 DHMs employing structured questionnaires. We found differences and similarities between the countries, in particular, who becomes a DHM. The opportunity to provide leadership and effect change and being part of a team were reported as rewarding aspects of DHMs' work. Demotivating factors included limited resources, bureaucracy, staff shortages, lack of support from leadership and inadequate delegation of authority. District managers ranked the acceptability of the inter-related activities similarly despite differences between contexts. Activities highly ranked by DHMs were to employ someone to support primary care staff to compile and analyse district-level data; to undertake study tours to well-functioning districts; and joining an African Regional DHM Association. DHMs rated these activities as feasible to implement. This study confirms that DHMs are in support of a process to promote bottom-up, data-driven, context-specific actions that can promote self-actualisation, recognises the roles DHMs play, provides opportunities for peer learning and can potentially improve quality of care.
Metrics
Details
- Title
- Acceptability and feasibility of inter-related activities to improve agency among African district health managers: A four-country study
- Creators
- Sharon Fonn - University of the WitwatersrandSunanda Ray - University of BotswanaIan Couper - Stellenbosch UniversityAlex Ezeh - University of the WitwatersrandAkinyinka Omigbodun - University of IbadanImran Morhason-Bello - University of IbadanGideon Ng'wena - Maseno Univ, Dept Med Physiol, Sch Med, Kisumu, KenyaEren Oyungu - Moi UniversityLucy Muchiri - University of NairobiJames Tumwine - Makerere UniversityCharles Ibingira - Makerere UniversityDaphney Conco - University of the WitwatersrandDuane Blaauw - University of the Witwatersrand
- Publication Details
- Global public health, v 17(7), pp 1267-1281
- Publisher
- Taylor & Francis
- Number of pages
- 15
- Grant note
- Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Community Health and Prevention
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000658638000001
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-85107512446
- Other Identifier
- 991019168586704721
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This publication has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:
InCites Highlights
Data related to this publication, from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool:
- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Public, Environmental & Occupational Health