Assessment of home visiting as a health care delivery strategy: the case of assin north municipality.

ABSTRACT

Background: The delivery of health care services uses numerous strategies to achieve the desired health outcomes in specific geographical areas. One of the strategies for health care delivery in Assin North Municipal Area is home visiting of households. However, this strategy had never been assessed. Objective : Assess the practice of home visiting as a strategy for health delivery in Assin North Municipal Area in order to improve upon it. Methods : The study was a descriptive one that employed both qualitative and quantitative research methods involving health care providers and community members in selected communities in the district. Ethical clearance was given by the Ghana Health Service. Each participant was allowed to declare his or her consent to participate or otherwise. The data was analyzed using Epi Info. Results : The home visiting in place is a universal type backed by comprehensive program goals to serve outreach, case finding needs assessment, illness visits, continuity of care, information giving and referral purposes. More clients are seen in their homes by Community Health Officers at the Community Health Planning and Services zones compared with other health staff operating from health facilities. Documentation and supervision of activities performed on home visitation is weak. The widely accepted nursing diagnosis plan taught in nursing training schools for home visiting is not been used by the home visitors. Main challenges to effective home visitation identified by the home visitors were lack of transportation, inadequate funding, and inappropriate staff attitude and ethnicity difficulties.