Effectiveness and impact of community-based health insurance on health service utilization in northwest Ethiopia: a quasi-experimental evaluation

BackgroundAddressing the health challenges of lower socioeconomic groups in Ethiopia is still a huge problem. In that regard, the government piloted the community-based health insurance (CBHI) in 2011 in a few districts and subsequently scaled up. However, the effectiveness of the program on the utilization of health services and its impact was not well explored. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of CBHI toward health services’ utilization and its impact in northwest Ethiopia.MethodsA quasi-experimental matched comparison group evaluation design with sequential explanatory mixed methods was employed. To evaluate the CBHI program, the effectiveness and impact dimensions from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development framework were used. A multistage sampling technique was used to select a total of 332 households enrolled in the CBHI program; 341 comparison households who did not enroll in the program were also randomly selected. A structured interviewer-administrated questionnaire was used to evaluate the effectiveness and impact of CBHI on health service utilization. The Propensity score matching model was employed for the estimation of the effect of the CBHI program on health service utilization. Challenges for program achievement toward health service utilization were explained through qualitative data and these were then analyzed thematically.ResultsThe evaluation showed 1.3 visits per capita per year of health service utilization among CBHI members. Households enrolled in CBHI increased health service utilization by 6.9 percentage points (ATT = 0.069; 95% CI: 0.034, 0.114). There was an improvement in health service utilization after the introduction of CBHI, however, there are challenges: (i) shortage of human resources, (ii) out-of-stock of drugs and medical supplies, and (iii) long waiting times for service and reimbursement claims. These issues limit the success of the program toward health service utilization.ConclusionThe CBHI program contributed to health service utilization improvement among CBHI members. However, the utilization rate of health services among CBHI members is still less than the target stated for the program and also the WHO recommendation. Therefore, the findings of this evaluation can be used by program implementers, policy makers, and other stakeholders to overcome the identified challenges and to increase the success of the program

Evaluation of the pediatric antiretroviral therapy service in Gondar city public health facilities-A case study design with mixed methods.

BackgroundThe pediatric antiretroviral therapy (ART) service is introduced to save lives, restore mental and physical functions, and improve the quality of life of children living with HIV/AIDS. This evaluation aimed to assess the implementation status of the pediatric ART service provision in Gondar city administration health facilities to promote evidence-based decision-making for program improvement.MethodsAn institutional-based single case-study design with concurrent mixed methods were applied. The service was evaluated by the availability of essential resources, compliance of health providers with the standard guideline, and caregivers' satisfaction dimensions. Document review, key informant interviews, observations, and interviewer-administered exit-interview were conducted. The quantitative data were analyzed in descriptive and analytical, while the qualitative data were transcribed, translated, and thematically analyzed. A logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with caregivers' satisfaction.ResultsThe overall implementation of pediatric ART service was 75.32%. The availability, compliance, and satisfaction were 68.96%, 74.44%, and 84.64%, respectively. Trained healthcare professionals, essential ART drugs, registers, and basic laboratory diagnostic equipment were reasonably available. However, the lack of opportunistic infection medications and adequate rooms were significant gaps in service provision. Respondents noted a shortage of drugs and rooms for consultation and service provision. Short travel distance (AOR = 2.87), low viral load (AOR = 3.15), and sex of caregivers (AOR = 4.98) were significantly associated with good satisfaction.ConclusionsThe overall implementation of pediatric ART service is well based on the pre-determined judgment criteria. The health facilities and policymakers are advised to focus on availing medications to treat opportunistic infections and expanding the health facility to have enough space for consultation and service provision. Furthermore, particular emphasis should be given to caregivers who come from long distances and patients with a high viral load to increase caregivers' satisfaction

Determinants of Malnutrition and its associated factors among pregnant and lactating women under armed conflict areas in North Gondar Zone, Northwest Ethiopia: a community-based study

Abstract Introduction Maternal malnutrition remains a major public health problem, particularly in low and middle-income countries and war-affected areas like Ethiopia. Malnourished pregnant and lactating women with low nutrient stores have babies with poor mental and physical development, increasing the risk of poor birth outcomes. Despite the fact that the majority of Ethiopian mothers are malnourished, there is little evidence in war-affected areas. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of undernutrition and associated factors among pregnant and lactating mothers in the war affected area of North Gondar Zone, northwest Ethiopia. Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from April 10 to May 25, 2022. A multistage random sampling technique was used to select 1560 pregnant and lactating mothers. MUAC was to ascertain the outcome variable. Data was entered and analyzed by using EPI INFO version 3.5.3 and SPSS version 24, respectively. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was employed to identify the factors associated with acute malnutrition. An adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95% confidence interval was used to show the strength of the association, while a P-value of 0.05 was used to declare the significance of the association. Results The prevalence of acute malnutrition among pregnant and lactating women was 34.3% at the 95% CI (31.9–36.8). The age of the mothers (AOR = 0.73; 95% CI: 0.54, 0.99), family size 6–8 (AOR = 1.21; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.82), and greater than or equal to 9 family sizes (AOR = 0.44; 95% CI: 0.19, 0.97), were significantly associated with acute malnutrition. Conclusions In the current study, the prevalence of acute malnutrition among pregnant and lactating mothers is high in the study area. Mother’s age and family size were factors associated with acute malnutrition in war-affected areas. As a result, mothers with large families will require special assistance to reduce the impact of malnutrition