How The Principle of Good Governance Affects The Management of Chiefs of Health Centers at The Khon Kaen Province

Abstract

The purpose of this cross-sectional descriptive research was to study individual attributes and
motivation of chiefs of health centers at the Khon Kaen province To manage their centers while applying the
principle of good governance. In the study 248 chiefs of health centers participated. The participants had been
divided into 2 groups, one comprising of 180 chiefs of health centers and the second group of 180 subordinate
officers. The sample size was estimated using the formula for a multiple regression analysis. Participants were
selected by systematic random sampling. Information was obtained through two sets of questionnaires which
had been reviewed for their validity by 3 experts; the Cronbach coefficients for the first and second set of the
questionnaires were 0.942 and 0.947, respectively. The information was collected during January 1st, 2010 to
February 28th, 2010. Ordinary descriptive statistics were used such as frequency, percentage; mean, standard
deviation, median, minimum- and maximum values. For analytical purposes the Pearson’s product moment
correlation coefficient, Spearman’s correlation coefficient, stepwise multiple regression analysis and Paired
Sample t-test had been applied.
The majority of chief of health centers were males (52.8%), with an average age of 44.56 years,
(S.D.=6.70 years), and an average income of 26,885.31 baht per month (S.D.=5603.12 baht). Most of the
chiefs (86.1%) were holding a bachelor's degree or a higher academic degree, and 57.2% were
working as chief officers for 1 to 10 years (median 10 years, minimum 1 year, and maximum 39 years).
Factors affecting management under good governance with a significant level of 0.05 included
motivation for working, experience of achievements, taking responsibility and observing hygienic
conditions and supporting interpersonal relationships. Another significant factor had been to be a
male. All these factors together could predict management under good governance as much as to 58.9%.
The average difference of scores related to the management of chiefs were significantly different from
those of the subordinate officers (p-value <0.001). The scores of the overall motivation of the chiefs of health
centers was at a high level ( X =3.72, S.D.=0.41). This also did apply to all aspects of motivation. Exception
of this rule had been insufficient salary and work conditions. The scores for these aspects were found
to be on a moderate levels ( X =3.11, S.D.=0.80, X =3.15, S.D.=0.71 respectively). The overall management
score related to good governance of chiefs of health centers was at high level ( X =4.04,S.D.=0.44) and also
all single aspects related to management under good governance were at a high level.
It is suggested that the Ministry of Public Health initiate a system providing an appropriate salary, good
welfare and other compensations for work done in accordance with the responsibilities of the chief officers. The
Provincial Health Office should manage the distribution of human resource to support sufficiently the staff in
each local health center. In addition, motivation of staff should be a major concern of chiefs of the health centers
especially as far as work performance, achievements and responsibilities are concerned. Job evaluation should
be strictly done on the basis of the principle of good governance.