Abstract:
Background: Ethiopia is one of the sub-Saharan countries most affected by high disease burden reflected by the high rates of maternal and child mortality. There is limited research evidence in Ethiopia, which indicates the level of utilization of health extension service and associated factors in the study area.
Objective: To assess the level of health extension service utilization and associated factors among rural community of Elu district, Southwest Shoa, Ethiopia.
Method: A community based cross sectional study design was employed with mixed method of data collection in Elu woreda. The sample size was 408. Systematic random sampling and purposive sampling technique was used for quantitative and qualitative studies respectively.
Face-to-face interview and focus group discussion were used to collect quantitative and qualitative data respectively. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed and Variables having a P-value of less than 0.25 in the bivariate logistic regression analysis were fitted into the multivariable logistic regression model. The 95% confidence interval of odds ratio was computed and a variable having P-value less than 0.05 in the multivariable logistic regression analysis was considered to determine factors associated with of health extension package.
Result: A total of 403 study participant were participated in this study giving a response rate of 98.7%. The overall utilization of health extension package service in Elu District was 62.8% with 95% CI (58.10, 67.70). having perceived health extension worker’s skill competency (AOR = 6.44 95% CI=3.73, 11.12), having satisfactory knowledge about HEP (AOR = 7.21 95% CI=4.15, 12.53), household participation on Planning of health extension package activity (AOR = 3.18 95% CI=1.83, 5.52) and educational status of participants(AOR = 2.57 95% CI= 1.31, 5.04) were statistically significant factors associated with utilization of health extension services in Elu woreda of Southwest Shoa Ethiopia.
Conclusion: The utilization of health extension package service was low as compared to the government expects to utilize at least of 75% of the components of health extension package. Knowledge of participants, household participation in planning, perception of respondents toward the competency of HEWs, education status of participants was factors associated with HEP service utilization. Strengthening of linkage of health facility, fulfilling medication, HEWs motivation, community participation and awareness creation are essential
