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Micro-level planning using rapid assessment for primary health care services
J K Satia1, D V Mavalankar, B Sharma
1Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, India.
Health Policy and Planning
|August 6, 1994
Summary
A new rapid assessment technique for primary health care planning in India improves service quality and equity. This micro-level approach uses household data to target underserved areas, offering a client-responsive alternative to current planning methods.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Health Services Research
- Health Planning
Background:
- Current health planning in India is often top-down and target-based, potentially limiting responsiveness to local needs.
- Effective micro-level planning is crucial for optimizing primary health care (PHC) service delivery and coverage.
- Assessing client needs, service coverage, and unmet needs at a granular level is essential for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe and evaluate a rapid assessment technique for micro-level planning of PHC services in India.
- To assess the feasibility and utility of this methodology in improving service coverage and quality.
- To explore the potential of this approach for enhancing client-responsiveness and equity in health services.
Main Methods:
- A rapid assessment methodology was developed, involving quick sample surveys to collect household-level data.
- Data collected included client needs, service coverage, and unmet needs within PHC areas.
- Analysis identified village-level variations in unmet need, leading to the development of village profiles and intervention strategies.
Main Results:
- The system was piloted in 113 villages across three PHC centers in Gujarat, India.
- The study demonstrated the feasibility and utility of the rapid assessment technique for micro-level planning.
- Barriers to the wider institutionalization of the system were identified during the pilot phase.
Conclusions:
- The proposed micro-level planning methodology using rapid assessment is a feasible and attractive alternative to current health planning.
- This approach can improve the client-responsiveness of the health care system and support decentralization.
- By focusing on under-served areas, the methodology promotes equity and efficiency in health service utilization.