A Study on the Factors Affecting the Development of Environmental Health Service System Quality in Local Government Organizations within Health Region 4

Abstract

Background and Aims: Providing environmental and public health services is one of the most crucial responsibilities of comprehensive local administrative authorities. Efficient systems and tools are needed to improve organizational management and boost work standards to a worldwide level. Investigating the evolution of environmental health care systems in Health Region 4's local administrative organizations, along with organizational components, practitioners, and outside support, is the aim of this study.

Methodology: The sample group consists of 96 municipalities at all levels that passed the basic level or higher of the environmental health service system standard certification in 2020–2022. Informants are the mayor/municipal secretary/director of the office/health department/person responsible for environmental health accreditation (EHA) development issues, one per municipality. Data were collected using a 5-level scale questionnaire (consistency index = 1; reliability = 0.95). Descriptive statistics included frequency distributions, percentages, means, and standard deviations.

Results: The research found that local administrative organizations had a moderate level of opinion toward the development of environmental health service systems, averaging 2.88. Organizational factors, external support, and practitioners were linked to the development
of environmental health service systems at high levels, averaging 4.16, 4.15, and 4.08, respectively. Organizational data showed the highest average opinion level, with organizational management policy averaging 4.34 (standard deviation 0.50), while resource readiness.
was lowest, averaging 4.03 (standard deviation 0.67). Analysis of external support data revealed that certification assessment had the highest average opinion level, 4.22 (standard deviation 0.76), while tools used in operations had the lowest, 4.10 (standard deviation 0.72). For practitioner data, attitude had the highest average opinion level, at 4.35 (standard deviation 0.56), while practitioner knowledge and understanding had the lowest, at 4.11 (standard deviation 0.61).

Conclusion: Local administration organizations recognize the importance of developing environmental health service systems. This necessitates components that methodically advance organizational development, such as clear administrative policies that outline the objectives and trajectory of environmental health operations and the dedicated staff's commitment to doing their duties to the best of their abilities. Increased resource preparedness and worker comprehension will boost efficiency. External certification and assessment can increase development and confidence, even while operational instruments may not fully satisfy needs, reflecting organizational limitations in applying external techniques. Enhancing the efficacy and responsiveness of environmental and public health services requires these components.