Abstract:
Background: Community participation is a key concept under pnmary health care
programmes and health service delivery in many countries. However, at this stage community
participation has been passive and most of the activities have been designed and planned
centrally. This has lead to unattainment of Primary Health Care mission of bringing down
burden of diseases through informed interventions accepted by communities that remains a big
challenge todate.
Objectives: The study sought to meet the main objective of assessing community participation
through Primary Health Care committees in implementation of malaria control activities in
Iringa municipality.
Methods and materials: A qualitative research was carried out usmg semi-structured
interviews for both in-depth and in focus group discussions. The information was collected
through in-depth interview for Council Health Management team at district level. The focus
group discussions with members of ward health committees and community. ATLAS.ti
version 6.1 computer software was used in data analysis.
Results: The majority reported of inadequate community participation m processes of
planning and budgeting. Even if involved in those stages many experienced that nothing is
being implemented or included into the final plans. There was a report on existence of local
Primary health care committees but most are defunct. People are dissatisfied with the current
malaria policy intervention which gives priority to under fives and pregnant mothers alone
leaving other groups in the society un-addressed.
Conclusion: Community participation has not been realized particularly in planning and
decision making. Therefore, it remains pertinent for the Government to incorporate indigenous
knowledge into various health programs as a tool in strengthening community participation.
