Community Volunteers In Community Based Surveillance And Immunization In Gambella Region, Ethiopian

Abstract

Infectious diseases are a leading cause of morbidity, disability, and mortality worldwide. As of 2018, the total world population of children less than five years of age was roughly estimated at 679 million. This study was assessed approaches, contributions, and challenges of community volunteers engaged in community-based surveillance and immunization to reduce child morbidity, disability, and mortality in the Gambella region. The study was used descriptive and explanatory research designs. Quantitative and qualitative types of research approaches were used. Data were collected from 158 respondents and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. One hundred fifty-eight respondents were considered, and the data collected were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings were revealed that 142(89.90%) of respondents said community volunteers reach the community via house to house visits, 132(83.50%) participants said Community volunteers reached the community during social mobilization, 125(79.10%) at social gatherings, and 75(47.50%) during mother to mother conference. 83.50% of the respondents were agreed community volunteers contributed a lot to the community on demand generation 134(84.80), timely information 137(86.70%), reported 52(91.23%) cases. The major challenges were the absence of health extension workers at their workplace 43(27.20%).Poor linkage 35(22.20%),inaccessibility 31(19%),workload at home 20(13%),mentioned as challenges. The dependent variable(contribution) was assessed for association with certain independent variables using chi-square test knew community volunteers (ꭓ2=6.75, P=0.034), ever visited by community volunteers (ꭓ2=8.11, P=0.017), knowledge on vaccine-preventable diseases (ꭓ2=14.04, P=0.001), health education delivery (ꭓ2=11.23, P=0.004), trustfulness of information(ꭓ2=55.46, P=0.0001) has shown relationships. It's suggested that the community volunteers need continues refresher training, appropriate monitoring, regular supportive supervision, maintain their engagement. Further, harmonize and strengthen the linkage between the health care system and lead with tailored regulations and rules.