The influence of community participation in problem identification on the sustainability of malaria projects in Juba City, South Sudan. A cross-sectional study.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51168/x3qp8t57Keywords:
Community Participation, Problem Identification, Sustainability, Malaria Control, South SudanAbstract
Background
Community participation in identifying health problems is a foundational principle for sustainable community health projects. This study examines the effect of problem identification on the sustainability of the Local Malaria Project (LMP) in Juba City, South Sudan.
Methods
A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed, using a quantitative method approach. The study involved 291 respondents, including household heads, selected via simple random sampling. Data were collected through questionnaires, focus group discussions (FGDs), and key informant interviews. Quantitative data were analyzed using Pearson correlation and regression.
Results
The respondents were relatively literate, with 61% having attained at least secondary education. The primary occupation was peasant farming (36.1%). While the needs assessment was effectively guided by the County Health Department (CHD) and malaria was prioritized as the top health concern (74% agreement), direct community participation in consultation meetings was low (mean scores 2.2-2.8). A significant, moderate positive correlation was found between problem identification and sustainability (r = 0.423, p < 0.05). Regression analysis showed that problem identification accounted for 17.8% of the variance in project sustainability.
Conclusion
The process of problem identification was more externally facilitated than community-led, resulting in a weak foundation for local ownership and limiting its contribution to long-term sustainability.
Recommendations
Implement more inclusive, community-led consultation processes from the outset to build genuine ownership and strengthen the sustainability of health interventions.
References
Arnstein, S.R. (1969) A ladder of citizen participation, Journal of the American Institute of Planners,35, pp 216
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Rifkin, S. B., Muller, F., and Bichmann, W. (1988). Primary health care: on measuring participation. Social Science and Medicine, 26, 931-940.
Sandra, W, and Jonathan, G (November 2000). Documentation of the Community Capacity Building Experience in South Sudan. GOU – UNICEF COUNTRY PROGRAMME 1995- 2000.
World Health Organization. (1981). The global strategy for health for all by the year 2000. Geneva, World Health Organization.
Nilsen, E.S., Myrhaug, H.T., Johansen, M., Oliver, S., and Oxman, A.D., 2006. Methods of consumer involvement in developing healthcare policy and research, clinical practice guidelines, and patient information material. Cochrane database of systematic reviews, (3).
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Copyright (c) 2025 Peter Mut Liep Dhoal , Dr. Gerald Kabuye (Author)
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