Browsing by Author "Taban, Patrick"

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Assessing Utilisation of Modern Family Planning Methods Among Women of Child Bearing Age in Maridi County, South Sudan.
(International Health Sciences University., 2016-11) Taban, Patrick
Background: The study conducted was about “assessing utilization of modern family planning methods among women of child bearing age in Maridi County, South Sudan.” There is tremendous need for contraceptive use worldwide (PRB, 2011). Forty percent (40%) of all pregnancy-related deaths occur in sub-Saharan Africa (UNDP, 2007). About 140 million (17%) women of child bearing age in developing countries are not using any method of FP, while 75 million (9%) are using less effective traditional methods. Maternal mortality rate in Maridi County is 2,327 deaths per 100,000 live births which is higher than the national maternal mortality rate of 2,054 (SS NBS, 2015). Reports of state ministry of health and integrated service delivery program (2016) indicates low utilization of modern FP methods by women of child bearing age in Maridi County despite existence of South Sudan FP policy (2013) which embraces access to FP methods and the right of choice for FP services. Objectives: To assess socio-cultural factors influencing utilization of modern FP methods, to determine supply chain for modern FP methods and to establish health system factors affecting the utilization of modern FP methods among women of child bearing age in Maridi County. Methodology: The study was descriptive cross-sectional study using both qualitative and quantitative approaches. Both probability and non-probability sampling techniques were used. Quantitative and qualitative data helped to explain the outcome and process through descriptive, analytical and inferential statistics obtained from sample responses. A total of 64 women aged 15-49 years were randomly selected from Maridi County. Results: Majority (73%) of women of child bearing age in Maridi County used modern FP methods. There was significant relationship of knowledge of kinds of FP methods (X2 8.111, p-value 0.004), and number of times FP services were accessed (X2 6.665, p-value 0.083) on uptake of modern FP methods. Majority (72%) of the women used male condom as modern method of FP. Inadequate visits to FP clinics, existence of fears of side effects of modern FP methods, inconsistent supply of modern FP methods, inadequate skills of health workers in providing some modern FP methods and inadequate FP policy guidelines on modern FP methods contributed to low uptake of some modern FP methods. Conclusions: Majority of women of child bearing age in Maridi County used modern FP methods, knowledge of kinds of FP methods increased uptake of modern FP methods, infrequent visits to health facility to access FP services lowered uptake of some modern FP methods, most women of child bearing age in Maridi County used male condoms for FP, fear of side effects of modern FP methods contributed to low uptake of some modern FP methods, women of child bearing age had unsatisfied FP needs, inconsistent supply of modern FP methods contributed to low uptake of some modern FP methods, inadequate skills of health workers in providing some modern FP methods and inadequate policy guidelines on modern FP methods contributed to low awareness about some modern FP methods in Maridi County. Recommendations: Community leaders should empower girl child by allowing them stay longer in school as educated girl would make better reproductive health choices, Maridi County Health Department to integrate FP services with VCT, immunization sessions, ANC and post natal visits to increase opportunity for access, maintain consistent supply of modern FP methods, improve providers technical competence through in-service trainings, State Government to enforce gender equality and empower women and girls in society, improve awareness through mass media campaigns and outreaches by health workers and South Sudan Government to influence use of modern FP methods for birth control by including in the FP policy.
The Influence of Medical Staffing Levels on the Management of Patients :
(International Health Sciences University., 2012-09) Taban, Patrick
The study was about the influence of medical staffing levels on the management of patients: A case study of HC IIIs in Moyo district. The specific objectives were: to determine the capability of the medical staff to manage the number of patients that turns up on a day to day basis, to investigate the ability of medical staff in utilizing available equipment in HC IIIs of Moyo district, to establish the capacity of the medical staff in managing cases of illness mandated to HC IIIs. A cross sectional study was conducted which involved quantitative and qualitative data collection methods. Out of 72 target population of medical workers, a sample size of 61 was studied and focus group discussions were also conducted to patients who have been attended in these health facilities. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 16.0 software and excel and was presented in narrative summary, tables, bar charts and pie charts. The key findings of the study indicated that attending to all patients, minimizing waiting time, providing appropriate treatment, provision of patient counseling and minimizing number of deaths at health facility were all compromised by the inadequate number of medical staff. On average, all the eight HC IIIs in Moyo District had 9 trained health staffs each, which is less than the required 15 trained health staff (HSSP I, 1999). In the study, majority of the respondents agreed that all the five components of patient management were affected by low level of qualification of medical staff, majority of the respondents 33 (54.1%) commented that qualifications of the medical staff of HC IIIs in Moyo District were inadequate and greater numbers of the medical staff in HC IIIs of Moyo 12 (16.7%) were nursing assistants who mainly do the work of nurses and midwives. Majority of the respondents also said that all components of patient management were affected by cadres (skill mix) of medical staff in HC IIIs of Moyo District with greater number 46 (75.4%) further reporting that skill mix of the medical staff was inadequate. Level of experience was also reported by majority of the respondents to affect all the components of patient management with most of them 44 (72.1%) further stating that level of experience of the medical staffs in HC IIIs of Moyo District was adequate. Further findings indicated that majority of the health workers were able to utilize most of the equipments in HC IIIs of Moyo except manual vacuum aspirator, implant inserter, manual vacuum extractor and ophthalmoscope. There was also evidence that the medical staffs had gaps in managing conditions and diseases mandated to HC III facilities. Basing on the above findings, it is recommended that the MoH, Public Service Commission, MoFPED and other stake holders should recruit and retain skilled medical staffs to meet the staffing norm of Uganda Local Government, create opportunities and offer sponsorship for further education and training of middle health care workers to manage cases beyond their original capacity and finally to prioritize and support training of laboratory technicians, midwives, clinical officers, nurses and recruit them to fill the existing gaps in HC III facilities of Moyo and other districts with the same staffing gaps.