Low enrolment in health personnel education program for tutors in health training institutions in Tanzania: Case of seven selected health training institutions

Background: Centre for Educational Development in Health Arusha was established in 1983 by Ministry of Health, aimed at strengthening and support the health care system through provision of health personnel education (HPE) program for tutors in Health Training Institutions (HTIs). CEDHA has capacity to enroll and accommodate 40 HPE program trainees per year. 

But in the past five (5) academic years, enrollment of HTI tutors in HPE program decreased critically to 3(7.5%) in 2022/2023 academic year 

Methods: This cross-sectional study employed quantitative methods for data collection conducted between November 2022 and July 2023 in seven (7) purposively selected public and private Health Training Institutions (HTIs). 

Results: We recruited 57 HTIs stakeholders (7 HTIs employers and 50 HTIs tutors) in the study, 39(68%) of the stakeholders had bachelor degree and 25(44%) had 1-4 years’ experience in teaching. 33(58%) of the respondents had not attended short or long course in teaching methodology. Most 44(93%) of stakeholders had low to moderate knowledge on HPE program offered at CEDHA while 49(86%) showed features of positive attitude toward studying the HPE program. Eight (8) short courses related to HPE program are offered in three (3) HTIs. Only teaching methodology short course was active in all three (3) institutions. Management of Health Training Institution and Instructional Assessment Skills were active only at CEDHA. This study could not establish type of recognition for HPE program graduates at their work stations as no one was found in the selected HTIs. Tuition fees, meal and accommodation were outlined more frequently as type of support needed by tutor willing to study HPE program. 

Conclusions: This study indicated that low awareness, positive attitude to HPE program, lack of recognition, availability of long or short courses related to HPE program and lack of support may be contributing factors to low enrolment in HPE program. There is a need for marketing the HPE program to HTI stakeholders and to offer support to tutors willing to pursue HPE program