Browsing by Author "Wilfred William Rwechungura"

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    Assessing the influence of health facility factors on utilisation of early infant diagnosis for HIV infection in Kilolo District Council
    (Mzumbe University, 2016) Wilfred William Rwechungura
    This study, which involved a sample of 200 respondents, was conducted in Kilolo District Council in Tanzania to assess the influence of health facility factors on utilizations of Early Infant Diagnosis of HIV infection (EID) services. The study problem was that there are HIV exposed infants who are enrolled in the EID programmed but they don’t access the intended services and hence the need for conducting the study. The specific objectives were (i) to evaluate availability of EID materials and its influence on utilizations of EID services in Kilolo health facilities; (ii) to assess availability of sample and results transportation system and its influence on utilizations of EID services in Kilolo health facilities; (iii) to assess the competence of healthcare workers and its influence on utilization of EID services at Kilolo health facilities; and (iv) to assess the satisfaction of mothers / guardians of HIV exposed infants on EID services provided in Kilolo health facilities. The study findings revealed that utilizations of EID service was indeed low (at 38%) as data suggested. Among contributing factors was inadequate EID materials at health facilities. Forty eight percent (48%) of the health worker respondents strongly disagree that there are adequate DBS materials at health facilities. On the same issue, when health workers were asked on whether they experienced stock outs of EID materials, fifty seven percent (57%) answered in the affirmative. The other finding was that health facility cares workers do not have sufficient skills for providing EID services. Forty three percent (43%) of the healthcare worker respondents reported that the sample and results transportation system is not reliable. The results showed that availability of EID materials and sample and results transportation system positively influence utilization of EID services at the health facilities whereas competence of healthcare workers influences negatively the utilization of EID services. This study recommends that the healthcare workers be trained in providing EID services and that arrangements be done for ensuring availability of EID materials, sample and results transportation system and availability of competent healthcare workers.