title: Does human resource management improve family planning service quality? Analysis from the Kenya Service Provision Assessment 2010.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Human resource (HR) management is a priority for health systems strengthening in developing countries, yet few studies have empirically examined associations with service quality. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between HR management and family planning (FP) service quality.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data came from the 2010 Kenya Service Provision Assessment, a nationally representative health facility assessment. In total, 912 FP consultations from 301 facilities were analysed. Four indices were created to measure quality on reproductive history taking, physical examination, sexually transmitted infections prevention and pill/injectable specific counselling. HR management variables included training in the past year, any and supportive (i.e. with feedback, technical updates and discussion) in-person supervision in the past 6 months and having a written job description. Multivariate linear regression analyses were conducted to estimate coefficients of HR management variables on each of the four quality indices, adjusting for background characteristics of clients, provider and facilities.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The level of service quality ranged from 16 to 53 out of a maximum score of 100 across the indices. Fifty-two per cent of consultations were done by providers who received supportive in-person supervision in the previous 6 months. In 23% and 38% of consultations, the provider was trained in the past year and had a written job description, respectively. Multivariate analyses indicated that having a written job description was associated with higher service quality in history taking, physical examination and the pill/injectable specific counselling. Other HR management variables were not significantly associated with service quality.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Having a written job description was significantly associated with higher service quality and may be a useful tool for strengthening management practices. The details of such job descriptions and the quality of other management indicators should be explored to better understand the relationship between HR management and FP service quality.
authors.affiliation: Office of Population and Reproductive Health, Bureau for Global Health, US Agency for International Development, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Room 3.6.146, Washington, DC 20004, USA nthatte@usaid.gov.
authors.forename: Nandita
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Thatte
authors.affiliation: Office of Population and Reproductive Health, Bureau for Global Health, US Agency for International Development, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Room 3.6.146, Washington, DC 20004, USA.
authors.forename: Yoonjoung
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Choi
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards*; D003906:Developing Countries; D005193:Family Planning Services / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006268:Health Facilities / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007587:Job Description; D007630:Kenya; D008297:Male; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D013192:Staff Development
keywords: Health systems; Service Provision Assessment; family planning; human resource management; quality of care