The Impact Of Administrative Attitudes On Community Participation In The Delivery Of Decentralized Health Services In Tanzania: A Case Study Of Babati Town Council

ABSTRACT

The overall purpose of this study is to examine the impact of administrative attitudes on community participation in the delivery of decentralized health services in Tanzania. To achieve this, specific objectives include to identify the impact of administrative beliefs on the community‟s provision of labour and materials in the health facilities in Tanzania; to examine the effect of administrative perceptions on the community‟s identified health needs and preferences for human resources, adequate drugs and funds in Tanzania; To analyze the influence of administrative behavior on the community‟s selection of technology and the location of medical equipments in Tanzania; and to evaluate the role of administrative feelings in the community‟s contribution of capital and operations for physical factors in Tanzania. The major theories for guiding this study included social exchange, social capital and principal agency theories. A case study research design was employed where both quantitative and qualitative approaches were employed. The sample size was 65 respondents comprising 60 health customer respondents who were randomly selected in the field using questionnaires, and 5 key informants chosen by using interview guide. The collected data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) computer software program to obtain frequency and percentage. The findings of the study revealed that administrators had negative attitude towards community participation in the delivery of decentralized health services. This resulted to a weak delivery of health services to the people. The study recommends the increase their participation levels in implementation of primary health care; and both Government and administrative leaders at all levels (village-national) should jointly facilitate community members to solve major constraints.