Perception of Community Leaders about Primary Health Care Services in a Selected Rural Area of BangladeshLeaders about Primary Health Care Services in a Selected Rural Area of Bangladesh

Abstract

Introduction: Community leaders are directly or indirectly involved in the activities of primary health care services. They should be capable to involve and mobilize others, enable them by infusing a sense of purpose, commitment and focus of action etc. to participate in the implementation of primary health care services for the prevention and control of diseases and promotion of health of the people of that locality. Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the level of perception of the community leaders about primary health care services. Methods and Materials: This was a descriptive type of  cross-sectional study which was carried out in a selected rural area in Munshigonj district, Bangladesh among 105 community leaders (union porishad chairmans and members, teachers, imams and other social workers).Pretested questionnaire was used for data collection after taking informed written consent from the respondents, which included information regards to socio-demographic status, knowledge, attitude and participation of the community leaders towards the primary health care services. Results: Out of 105 respondents 92 (87.6%) were male, and 13(12.4%) were female. Of them 40% were HSC passed, followed by 19.1% SSC passed, 12% were Graduate and none of the community leaders found illiterate; 97 (92.3%) community leaders participated in the implementation of primary health care(PHC) program; 78.1% community leaders heard the term PHC. Knowledge about PHC and participation in various PHC programs were satisfactory among chairman, members, and teachers, but Imams and other social workers had average or poor knowledge and participation in primary health care (PHC) programs. 100% community leaders had correct knowledge about management of diarrhea by oral rehydration salts (ORS) use and 100% community leaders were using iodized salt, 85.7% community leaders were using sanitary latrine. 86.7% community leaders participated in family planning motivation activities and 76% community leaders expressed their need for training in various PHC programs. Conclusion: Community leaders should be informed and trained about the various components of PHC, so that they can realize importance of their active involvement in implementation of every PHC programs for their respective localities for the improvement of the health and socio-economic development of the society as a whole.