Factors associated with the competency of public health technical officers : A case study of regional service provider 4

Abstract

                   This descriptive research aimed to study the factors associated with the competency of Public health technical officer as a case study of Regional Service Provider 4. The samples were 352 PH technical officers selected through a three-stage random sampling. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire from January-March 2015 and were analyzed by frequency distribution, percentage, mean, standard deviation, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and stepwise multiple regression analysis. Demographic data : Fifty six point eight (56.8%) of the participants were female, 44.6% were aged 41-50 years, 69.6% held a marital status as living together with spouse, 84.9% held a bachelor degree, and 84.4% held a position in their professional level. The scores of most participants (87.2%) for the overall capacity were in a high level. Considering each component of the competency separately; the scores on the parts of achievement motivation, service mind, expertise, integrity, teamwork, critical thinking and interpersonal skill were in a high level. The leadership factor and the motivation factor had a moderate level of positive correlation with the competency of public health technical officer at the level of statistical significance of 0.001 (r=0.683, p-value<0.001; r=0.390, p-value<0.001 respectively). Three variations that could work together to predict the competency of public health technical officers in the case study of Regional Service Provider 4 included the marital status, the leadership factor and the motivation factor; and they could predict such competency as correctly as 48.9%. The study suggests that authorities concerned could use these findings in making a strategic plan for the development of their human resources, encouraging them to actively improve their competency.