EFFECTIVENESS OF CITIZEN PARTICIPATION ON HEALTHCARE SERVICE DELIVERY IN SIRISIA SUBCOUNTY, BUNGOMA COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

With the onset of devolution in March 2013 as provided for in the 2010 constitution of Kenya, Citizens have been given an opportunity to directly take part in decision making in the healthcare sector. This was meant to improve the status of healthcare service delivery among county governments in Kenya. However, health service delivery in Sirisia Subcounty has generally lagged behind evidenced by high bed occupancy and low number of medical personnel as cited in the (DHIS, 2019). The general objective of this study was to examine the effectiveness of citizen participation on healthcare service delivery in Sirisia Subcounty. Specifically, this study tested the hypotheses that there is no significant relationship between the magnitude of citizen participation in healthcare service development, level of citizen participation and efficiency of citizen participation on healthcare service delivery in Sirisia Subcounty, Kenya. The study used empowerment theory. Both correlational and descriptive research designs were used. The target population was 17659 household heads and 107 healthcare workers in Sirisia Subcounty. 32 (30%) healthcare workers and 376 household heads in the Subcounty were selected. The healthcare workers were purposively selected while the households were randomly selected. The study relied on both primary and secondary data. Data was analyzed using both qualitative and quantitative methods. For descriptive analysis, both mean and standard deviation were computed. Inferential statistics of Correlation, Regression and ANOVA were used in the study. Results were presented using figures such as tables, charts and graphs. Firstly, results indicated that healthcare development is key in promoting service delivery in the health sector in Sirisia Subcounty (r=0.446**; P=.000). Results also showed level of citizen participation being paramount in enhancing health care service delivery (r=.334**; P=.000). Furthermore, it was established that improvement in efficient citizen participation is likely to have a recommendable effect on service delivery at the health facilities (r=.617**; P=.000). Conclusively therefore, improvement in the three independent variables, will realize 55.9% change in healthcare service delivery in Sirisia. The study also noted that all the null hypotheses were rejected, implying that there is a statistical relationship between all the three independent variables and service delivery in the health facilities. The study concludes that for healthcare service delivery to improve in Sirisia Subcounty, the three independent variables have to be implemented in accordance with the needs of citizens. The study recommends that in order to achieve the main goal of public participation, there is need to create structures, mechanisms and guidelines for citizen participation. Secondly, there is need for the study area to come up with a comprehensive public participation process which should involve stakeholders in the health sector. Lastly, the county should plan for public participation meetings geared towards problem-solving. The findings are expected to enrich available data and create awareness on citizen participation in healthcare both locally, nationally and internationally. To the academia, the study provides an insight into further research by scholars interested in the area of citizen participation.