Work environment factors and provider performance in health houses: a case study of a developing country

OBJECTIVE: Primary Health Care has determined the path to the goal of "Health for All". Defining standards in health facilities play a crucial role in achieving acceptable performance by Community Health Workers. The study aimed to assess the relationship between physical Work environment factors and performance in primary healthcare facilities named health houses in Urmia district health network in North West of Iran. Thirty-five health houses were selected and studied with simple random sampling method. Data collection instrument were a standard checklist. RESULTS: The results highlighted a statistically significant and positive correlation between technical equipment layout (P = 0.01, r = 0.641) with the performance of CHWs and the area of workplace (P = 0.05, r = 0.359) in health houses. Correlation between office equipment layout and performance was negative (P = 0.01, r = − 0.44). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the performance level was influenced by the staff-mix of CHWs in health houses, layout of technical equipment and layout of office equipment.