The Engagement Level of Board Members and Associated Health Care Quality in Public Health Centers of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2018

Background: A board member was an important bridge to accelerate a day-to-day health care quality in a routine clinical activity at health institutions. They are significant in planning and examine integrated governance systems that encourage quality of care and accountability. So, the current research was planned to identify the level of engagement of the board members in health care quality and factors associated. Methods: A facility-based cross-sectional study was implemented among 250 board members and data were collected by self-administered questionnaire at selected governing health centers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from May 1 to 30, 2018. A simple random sampling technique was used to reach the study participants. Data were entered using EpiData 3.1 software and analysis was done using SPSS 23. Adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval and p-value < 0.05 was used to declare statistical significance. The level of board members' engagement was found to be low which implies that the board members do not give appropriate attention to the quality of care. Results: Good level of engagement of board members was (50.9%) [AOR=7.11, 95% CI (3.07-16.47)]. Most of the governing board members did not engage in the quality of health care activities. Uses quality data as a basis for recognition [AOR=7.11, 95% CI (3.07-16.47)], review a quality scorecard or dashboard [AOR=10.83, 95% CI (3.75-31.29)], establishing goals relating to staff satisfaction [AOR=15.42, 95% CI (6.14-38.75)] and receiving formal training [AOR=3.42, 95% CI (1.35-8.62)], having a strategy relating to communication with clients [AOR= 4.95, 95% CI (2.02-12.15)] and spending more than 20% [AOR=11.96, 95% CI (3.27-43.83)], received training on healthcare disparities [AOR=3.81, 95% CI (1.40-10.36)], and having a plan on quality [AOR=16.38 95% CI (5.39-49.72)] were found to be significant predictors of level of board member engagement. Conclusion: Collectively, most of the governing board members did not engage in the quality of health care activities. Stakeholders should work on capacity building for board members using training and further follow-up. Encouraging them to put quality health services at the forefront of their agenda during their involvement at their respective facilities.