Journal Articles
Permanent URI for this communityhttp://41.89.31.6:4000/handle/123456789/313
Welcome to Journal articles community
Browse
3 results
Search Results
Item Assessment of School-Based Clinic as a Health Service Provision Model in Public Secondary Schools in Meru County, Kenya(Journal of Education, 2021-09) Muguna, Mbaabu Silas; Kibaara, Tarsila; Gichohi, Paul MakuThe Government of Kenya has made an effort in facilitating access to healthcare by students through the development of a standard manual on safety and health in schools and introducing a unique NHIF program for students in public secondary schools. However, the same has been marred by the lack of sustainable mechanisms, systems and structures. This state of affairs attests to the absence of a profound model for addressing the healthcare needs of students in public secondary schools in Kenya. This study assessed the school-based clinic as a health service provision model in public secondary schools in Meru County, Kenya. The specific objective was to examine the efficacy of school-based health clinics in addressing students' healthcare needs in public secondary schools in Meru County. Andersen's model of health service utilization was significant in guiding this study. The study utilized a descriptive survey design. Schools were stratified according to categories, and then, a proportionate systematic sampling technique was used to sample 191 principals and 195 Chairpersons of the Students' Council. At the same time, the County Director of Education was purposively selected. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire and interview guide. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS, where factor analysis, means and standard deviations were computed. Linear regression analysis was used to test the hypothesis. Qualitative data were analyzed using the thematic technique. The majority of public secondary schools did not have a school-based health clinic. Where available, they were underutilized, poorly equipped, lacked trained health professionals, had poor infrastructures and were derailed by the lack of funding. Despite these challenges, SBHCs were statistically significant in addressing students' healthcare in public secondary schools. The study recommended that the Ministry of Education develop mechanisms and policy frameworks for establishing school-based health clinics in public secondary schools. It should also carry out capacity building programs for principals to equip them with skills for managing the SBHC facility and writing grants proposals. In addition, principals should exercise prudent management practices, ensure quality assurance of SBHCs, and pursue a concerted effort, collaborations, and partnerships of stakeholders in establishing and running school-based health clinics in public secondary schools.Item Critical Analysis of Personal Medical Health Insurance as an Approach to Managing Student Healthcare in Public Secondary Schools in Meru County, Kenya(International Journal of Professional Practice (IJPP), 2021-09) Muguna, Mbaabu Silas; Gichohi, Paul Maku; Kibaara, TarsillaProvision of healthcare to secondary school students is paramount. However, in Kenya, this undertaking is often curtailed by inadequate funding, poor infrastructure, food insecurity, high poverty levels, and unemployment challenges. These challenges complicate the choice of a service model for managing healthcare of students in public secondary schools in Meru County -Kenya. The purpose of this study was to analyze personal medical insurance as an approach for managing students' healthcare in public secondary schools in Meru County. This study is systematic review paper where secondary sources of information were analyzed and synthesized as guided by the main theme. Documentary analysis coupled with systematic review of existing literature from reports, past studies and conference proceedings were central in forming the theoretical foundation and systematic argument developed in this paper. The study established that the adoption of personal medical insurance in secondary schools does not only affect the education outcomes, but it also enhances equity of secondary school education and leads to improved retention and completion rates of students in schools. However, its adoption in public secondary school is not widespread in Meru County, Kenya. This is attributed to shortages of infrastructures, resources, weak structures and mechanisms on health provision, and absence of policy on personal medical health insurance for students in public secondary school in Kenya. These findings raise questions on policies by Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health on provision of healthcare to students in secondary schools. Medical health insurance companies are called upon to remodel and customize their personal health insurance products to fit students in public secondary schools.Item Effectiveness of NHIF in addressing Students’ Healthcare in Public Secondary Schools in Meru County, Kenya(International Journal of Professional Practice (IJPP), 2021-09) Muguna, Mbaabu Silas; Kibaara, Tarsila; Gichohi, Paul MakuHealth insurance helps cushion people from healthcare costs and facilitates equity in access to health facilities and services. The Government of Kenya has invested in a unique NHIF program, namely EduAfya, for public secondary schools. Although EduAfya is relatively new, it has faced implementation challenges attributable to the weak structures and mechanisms for supporting its operationalization. This study aimed to assess the NHIF as a health service provision model in public secondary schools in Meru County, Kenya. The specific objective was to examine the efficacy of NHIF as an approach for addressing healthcare in public secondary schools in Meru County. The study was guided by Andersen's model of health service utilization, and adopted a descriptive survey design. 395 Public secondary schools were stratified into four categories; hence, a proportionate systematic sampling technique was applied to sample 196 principals and the Students' Council's chairpersons, while the County Director of Education was sampled purposively. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire and interview guide. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS, where factor analysis, means and standard deviations were computed, while linear regression analysis was used to test the hypothesis. Qualitative data were analyzed using the thematic technique. The study noted that students were underutilizing the NHIF program (EduAfya) despite its significance in addressing their healthcare. This was attributed to low awareness, challenges in obtaining NEMIS numbers, and lack of understanding. Therefore, NHIF staff should conduct training and sensitization in public secondary schools, targeting students, principals, and parents. In addition, the Ministry of Education and NHIF should collaboratively liaise with stakeholders in accrediting more local health facilities, including private health centres, in order to enhance the proximity of access to healthcare. The government should also develop a clear policy on handling emergencies and transportation costs; streamline the issuance of NEMIS numbers and biometric cards, and clarify the role of principals in enhancing the effectiveness of EduAfya.