The general purpose of this study was to assess the performance of rural health extension workers in Oromia Regional State with regard to RMNCH services and factors that may affect their performance. This study employed a cross-sectional mixed-methods design to assess the performance of rural health extension workers (HEWs) and the readiness of health posts to provide selected RMNCH services in Oromia Regional State. The study was conducted in Oromia Regional State, which is the largest and most populous region of Ethiopia, from October to November 2017. A stratified two-stage cluster sampling design was used to ensure that the data adequately represented the Oromia Region. Therefore, the study included samples of 11 Woredas, 121 health posts, and 242 HEWs. Moreover, 29 purposively selected key informants were interviewed.

A range of tools was used to collect the data. An observation checklist was used to assess the competence of HEWs using qualified assessors, and a structured questionnaire and inventory form was used to assess the working environment, including the availability of equipment and essential supplies. In addition, a semi-structured key informant interview guide was used to assess the implementation challenges of the HEP. All data collection tools were pre-tested and validated in two Woredas at eight HPs by enrolling eight HEWs prior to actual data collection. The data collection tools were then amended in line with the findings from the pre-test.

The mean percentage performance score of HEWs in performing RMNCH services was modest. Level III HEWs scored lower than level IV HEWs. HEWs scored higher in providing family planning services and lower in providing postnatal services. Many factors affected the performance of HEWs. Health post infrastructure and workload were among the major factors that hindered the performance of HEWs. There was also a positive correlation between the number of model families and the performance scores of HEWs.  A significant number of health posts in this study lacked adequate infrastructure. Many health posts lacked equipment, essential supplies, and amenities. Because of the low-level participation of the community, a profound number of HEWs did not live in the kebele where the health post was located.  In addition to infrastructure, multiple barriers affected the smooth implementation of the HEP. Lack of supervision, the failure to provide incentives, poor living conditions of HEWs, ineffective management structure, and heavy workload hindered the performance of HEWs.

• Health extension workers (HEW)
• Performance
• RMNCH
• Oromia Region
• Observational checklist
• Rural
• Job satisfaction
• HEP
• Cross-sectional mixed method design and

No suggested citation.

This dataset is produced by 121 health posts and 242 HEWs conducted from October to November 2017 in Oromia Region. The dataset contains information findings from observational studies to measure essential skills of HEWs. The information included a total of 13 skill areas (Focused antenatal care, labor and childbirth, postpartum care, family planning counseling, implant insertion, implant removal, administration of injectable contraceptives, Intra-Uterine Device (IUD) insertion, IUD removal, iCCM-Fever, iCCM-Malnutrition, iCCM-cough or difficult breathing, iCCM-diarrhoea) with measuring categories ranging from ‘0’ (not done) to ‘2’ (completely done). Furthermore, the dataset contains information regarding HEWs’ socio-demographic characteristics, turnover intention, and work environment factors that may influence performance. Finally, the dataset holds information on essential RMNCH equipment, medications, supplies, and facilities at sample health posts.

Copy url