Factors Influencing Health Services Delivery To Elderly People In Songea Rural District, Tanzania

ABSTRACT

This study aimed at examining factors that influence health services delivery to elderly people in Songea Rural District. Specifically, it focused on investigating the factors which influence health services delivery to elderly people, to explore the community perceptions with regard to health services delivery to elderly people and to suggest measures for improving the provision of health services to the elderly people. The study applied both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection, presentation and analysis. FGD, in-depth interviews, and social survey were applied as data collection methods. Sampling techniques were purposive for selected areas and interviewee selection, whereas simple random sampling was applied for social survey and FGD respondents. Self-administered and interviewee administered questionnaires were used to collect the data. The sample size was obtained by using Yamane (1967) formula for 99 questionnaire respondents and purposive selection for 10 interviewees. Participants for FGD were drawn from questionnaire respondents; hence it did not add a new figure on the sample size. A total sample size of 109 respondents was drawn from Ngahokora and Peramiho A villages. The study found that, the main factors influencing health services delivery to elderly people include; shortage of qualified staff, insufficient financial resources, and inadequate access to health insurance. The study concludes that, the main issues that interrupt improvement of health services to the elderly people in Songea Rural District are inadequate financing, insufficient trained staff and inaccessible insurance services. The study recommends that, all health service planners and implementers including the Ministry of health, need to work on improvement of resource allocation, skills upgrading, ensuring health insurance coverage and building well equipped and village-based health facilities.