Assessment of Information Sharing Using Social Network Analysis among Health Extension Workers in Konso Woreda: A Cross-Sectional Case Study

Abstract

Introduction: Social network is systematic means of assessing formation and informal networks by mapping and analysing relationships among people, groups, and units of work group or even entire organizations. In this article information Sharing and problem solving methods of health extension worker in Konso woreda was assessed.Objective: This study is aimed to assess information sharing using social network analysis among health extension workers in Konso woreda. Methods:A cross-sectional survey was conducted on all health extension workers in Konso woreda in Southern Ethiopia, using pretested structured pretested roster type questionnaire. All analysis performed by UCINET. Results:The response was rate 77(93%). For who know who network: Degree (64.8), Betweenness (11.1), Eigenvector (0.11), density (79.28%), and for information sharing network Degree (22.3), Betweenness (54.6), Eigenvector (0.11), density (27.2%). Using MR-QAP indicated significant variables such as experience (B=-0.041, p=0.0085), media (B=-0.0430, p=0.0055), site (B=-0.11, p=0.0005) and who know who B=0.1722, p=0.0005). People share information have positive performance (B=0.0466, p=0.01450) Conclusion:The information sharing in HEWs was inadequate. Sharing was observed among different sites rather than the same, people of different experiences than that of the same, and people who have different knowledge of Medias for information Sharing but for who know each other and have performance. were more likely to interact in most of the cases, in particular, those with similar specialties and organizational affiliations [41]. Other study in Addis Ababa uncovered as much as media of information transferring concerned there a need of more time so that the recipient and the source would be more interacted which means there are more indicators to have smooth transmission [13]. Assessment of Information SharingTherefore, current study outcome was more concerned social and information Sharing networks that might clear what to do to achieve more with HEWs, helps co-coordinators and planners easy way of distributing information using key nodes, and will identify informal connections than expected, which is important to rearrange the program activities.Specific objectives of the study 1. To describe the magnitude of information sharing in health extension workers using network analysis in Konso woreda.2. To compare information sharing and knowing each other network densities 3. To determine factors associated to information sharing among the health extension workers.4. To empirically describe the structure of information flow among health extension workers. Methods and Materials Study design and populationA cross sectional study was conducted using social network analysis from February 1 to May 30, 2012, to elicit information sharing of health extension worker (community health workers). A wholenetwork approach was employed for current study because we use all of the connections between people (HEWs) in the woreda.