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Strengthening Human Resources for Health: A Study of Health Worker Availability and Performance in Tanzania


Shortage of health personnel and poor health workers’ performance is major constraint on health systems in low-income countries. The project represents an important strategic initiative to provide evidence that will be valuable in addressing health work force crises.

Funding:  NRC, Norwegian Resource Council
Principle investigator:  Astrid Blystad
Partners: CMI Christian Michelsen Institute, Bergen University College, National Institute of Medical Research (NIMRI), University of Dar es Salaam.
Duration: 2006 - 2011
Budget:  NOK 9, 7 million

Major Focus Areas

The initiative is a collaboration between research institutions in Norway, Europe and Africa. It represents a wide spectre of competence within anthropology, economics, history, and health sciences / international public health. The project covers the following thematic areas:

  • Key determinants of health worker availability and performance at district level in Tanzania
  • Health workers’ performance and motivation with special attention to management practices at district and facility level and financial and non-financial incentives. 
  • Complementing the study of formal structures and procedures with studies of social-cultural dimensions and the historical contextualisation of health systems.

Approach:

Integrating quantitative analysis with in-depth qualitative studies of determinants of health worker availability

Impact

  • Training of five candidates to Ph.D. level
  • Establishing foundations for future evaluation of interventions related to the health personnel issue

Last updated 21.3.2012