Vol. 1 No. 1 (2025)

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A Randomised Field Trial Evaluating the Adoption of a Novel Health Systems Framework in Ethiopian Community Health Centres

Tesfaye Woldemariam, Department of Surgery, Haramaya University Meklit Abebe, Department of Pediatrics, Haramaya University
DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.18954431
Published: September 1, 2025

Abstract

{ "background": "Community health centres in low-resource settings face systemic challenges in implementing new health frameworks. There is a paucity of robust, field-based evidence on the determinants of successful adoption of such systems in sub-Saharan Africa.", "purpose and objectives": "This study aimed to quantify the adoption rate of a novel health systems framework, the Integrated Systems Strength (ISS) model, among Ethiopian community health centres via a randomised field trial, and to identify key facility-level predictors of adoption.", "methodology": "We conducted a cluster-randomised controlled trial across 60 community health centres. Centres were randomly allocated to an intervention group receiving the ISS framework with implementation support, or a control group continuing standard practice. Adoption was measured using a validated 20-item checklist over a 12-month period. The primary analysis used a generalised linear mixed model: $\\logit(P(Adoption{ij})) = \\beta0 + \\beta1 Group{ij} + \\gamma X{ij} + uj + \\epsilon{ij}$, where $uj$ is a cluster random effect. Robust standard errors were calculated.", "findings": "The intervention group demonstrated a significantly higher adoption rate (68%, 95% CI: 62, 74) compared to the control group (24%, 95% CI: 18, 30), with an adjusted odds ratio of 6.4 (p<0.001). Facility readiness score was the strongest independent predictor of successful adoption within the intervention arm.", "conclusion": "The ISS framework, when coupled with implementation support, is adoptable in a community health centre context and leads to substantially higher integration of systems components compared to standard practice.", "recommendations": "National health programmes should consider the ISS framework for scaling, prioritising initial investments in facility readiness. Further research should investigate long-term sustainability and health outcome impacts.", "key words": "health systems strengthening, implementation science, randomised controlled trial, primary health care, sub-Saharan Africa",

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Tesfaye Woldemariam, Meklit Abebe (2025). A Randomised Field Trial Evaluating the Adoption of a Novel Health Systems Framework in Ethiopian Community Health Centres. African Food Systems Research (Interdisciplinary - incl Agri/Env), Vol. 1 No. 1 (2025). https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18954431

Keywords

health systems strengtheningcommunity health centresSub-Saharan Africaimplementation sciencerandomised controlled trialprimary healthcareEthiopia

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Vol. 1 No. 1 (2025)
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African Food Systems Research (Interdisciplinary - incl Agri/Env)

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