Community Participation And The Effect Of Participatory Research In South-western Ethiopia

A descriptive study was conducted from Octoberrn1994 to March 1995 to document the patterns andrndeterminants of community participation (CP) in 25rnpeasant associations in Seka Chekorsa Woreda. Anrnexperimental component of the study tested the effectrnof participatory research (PR) on the measurement andrnpromotion of CPornThe study address the barriers to fullerrncommunities participation in health developmentrnactivities despite the high demand from the healthrnsector.rnOver half (52.5%) of community members reportedrnparticipation in health activities within the precedingrnmonth. Most common forms of participation reportedrnwere contribution of labor (31.2%) or materials (11.9%)rnand attending meetings regarding health developmentrn(29.9%). Communities were most likely to identify morernpassive forms of CP, including service utilizationrn(60.9%), attending meetings (44.8%), and contributionrnof material or labor (33.9%) Few (11.2%) indicatedrnthat CP implied involvement in decision making andrnplanning. Key barriers to promotion of CP in healthrnincluded poor community awareness of roles andrnresponsibilities, lack of technical and financialrnresources, and lack of strategies and organizationalrnstructures to promote CPornPR was effective in increasing community awarenessrnof CP, and in increasing rates of participation,rnincluding through attending meetings and throughrndecision making and planning. Strengthening CP throughrnthe development of clear strategies and policies andrndecentralization of financial and technicial resourcesrntogether with utilization of existing mutual self hel prnsocieties such as funeral societies (Edir) werernrecomended in order to improve health developmentrnprograms.

Get Full Work

Report copyright infringement or plagiarism