LEVEL AND FACTORS AFFECTING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF CONTINUOUS QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS AND THEIR BARRIERS AMONG HEALTH WORKERS IN SELECTED PUBLIC HOSPITALS IN EASTERN ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Continuous quality improvement is a key aspect of improving access and quality of healthcare services. Implementing quality improvement projects at health facilities is a key strategy to reduce preventable morbidity, mortality, and disability. In different settings, different factors and barriers affect the implementation of continuous quality improvement in healthcare settings, yet there is a scarcity of information in Ethiopia in general and in the study setting in particular. Objective: Therefore, this study aims at assessing the level and exploring factors affecting the implementation of continuous quality improvement projects and their barriers among health workers in selected public hospitals in Eastern Ethiopia in 2023. Methods: Quantitative Cross-sectional study was conducted on 385 healthcare professionals those who was recruited before 6 months at public health facility supplemented with an exploratory qualitative study. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire and key informant interview by trained data collectors. The data was collected and entered into Epidata version 3.1 and exported to Stata 17 for analysis. Both bivariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to explore determinant factors of CQI projects implementation at 5% significance level. Thematic analysis was used for key informant interview data. Results: Among the 366 respondents in this study, 204 (55.74%) reported that the continuous quality improvement projects were implemented in their hospitals. Poor Leadership engagement in CQI projects [AOR=0.51 (0.293, 0.905)], weak organized of quality improvement committee or team [AOR=3.28 (1.318, 8.174)], incapable health worker staff utilized quality improvement models [AOR=4.11(1.516, 11.163)]. On the other hand, health worker’s not being knowledgeable about their job descriptions [AOR=0.19(0.053,0.700)] were inversely associated with the implementation of CQI. Conclusion: The implementation of continuous quality improvement project associated with factors like Leaders’ engagement in quality improvement project, job description including specific responsibility, Quality improvement committee or team, Quality improvement models awareness had significant influence on the implementation of CQI.