Factors contributing to underutilization of home based care services at Macha hospital.

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to determine factors contributing to under-utilization of the home based care services at Macha hospital. A descriptive explanatory and non-intervention type of study was used. The review of literature on relevant studies done in other countries and within Zambia revealed that there are influencing factors on the topic under study and the factors include; training of staff, supervision of staff and incentives from management, community co-operation, availability of resources, knowledge about significance of HBC, professional qualification and cultural-beliefs. The population under study was fifty (50) health care providers of which 40 were nurses, 3 clinical officers, 4 pastors and 3 environmental technologists. The respondents were selected using a non-probability sampling method.Data was collected using self-administered questionnaires and two focus group discussions from the community. Data was analysed manually and findings presented in frequency tables, bar graphs and pie chart. The study revealed that the majority of respondents 41(82%) did not receive any training in home based care. Resources for use in HBC services are not available and health personnel are demotivated because of inadequate incentives.