The Design of a System for the Evaluation of Comprehensive Primary Health Care in Rural Sierra Leone

Abstract

<p>The purpose of this thesis is to describe a research design for evaluating the effectiveness of comprehensive primary health care in rural areas of Sierra Leone.</p> <p>Comprehensive primary health care, which is based on community participation within the framework of a policy of self-reliance and self-development is seen by many as the answer to solving the health problems of deveIoping countries.</p> <p>In setting the scene for evaluating the effectiveness of comprehensive primary health care in rural Sierra Leone, a description of the background of the country is given highlighting the major geographical, demographical and socioeconomical features. The state of health in the developing countries as a whole is also reviewed (Chapter 3).</p> <p>Chapter 4 explores the concept of comprehensive primary health care and reviews the operational aspects in the African context.</p> <p>In an attempt to establish some basis for the design of an effectiveness evaluation of comprehensive primary health care, the main methodologic issues in the presented setting are explored (Chapter 5).</p> <p>Having identified the main methodologic issues specific solutions and their justifications are proposed (Chapters 6,8,9).</p> <p>Finally, a specific protocol of the proposed research design is presented.</p>