The role of community structures in managing health outcomes : the case of the Zebediela sub-district, Limpopo, South Africa

Abstract

The health profiles and outcomes in South Africa are unsatisfactory, not seeming to improve appreciably, amid the robust reform efforts, policies and strategies. These health challenges comprise largely of preventable conditions, as demonstrated by the quadruple burden of disease. Community participation, including the use of community governance structures in improving community health profiles and outcomes, are alluded to be beneficial in improving these communities` health profiles and outcomes. The main aim of this study was to understand the current and the potential future role and the factors at play, of the community governance structures in managing their communities` health profiles and outcomes, in the Zebediela sub-district, Limpopo, South Africa. A qualitative study was conducted, using the Zebediela sub-district as a case study, where from six out of the potential nine governance structures were interviewed and recorded in focus groups, using a pre-determined discussion guide. The recordings were analysed in-depth for themes, using the consistency matrix and the N-vivo data analysis. The results indicate that, the community governance structures are aware of the unsatisfactory health profiles and outcomes in their communities, but are not doing anything specific towards intervening to improve the situation. However, they are keen and willing to participate in improving the situation and are able to identify the potential role they can play, the skills and resources in themselves and in the communities, including the factors that facilitate and those that impede, their participation together with the recommendations of what can facilitate their participation and efficiency in improving their communities` health profiles and outcomes. The community governance structures represent a good opportunity to improve community health profiles and outcomes, through a specific strategic focus that would empower, support, motivate, strengthen and reinforce their current level of skills, functioning and participation.