Characteristics of community savings groups in rural Eastern Uganda: opportunities for improving access to maternal health services
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Date
2017
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Global Health Action
Abstract
Rural populations in Uganda have limited access to formal financial Institutions,
but a growing majority belong to saving groups. These saving groups could have the
potential to improve household income and access to health services.
Objective: To understand organizational characteristics, benefits and challenges, of savings
groups in rural Uganda.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study that employed both quantitative and
qualitative data collection techniques. Data on the characteristics of community-based savings
groups (CBSGs) were collected from 247 CBSG leaders in the districts of Kamuli,
Kibukuand Pallisa using self-administered open-ended questionnaires. To triangulate the
findings, we conducted in-depth interviews with seven CBSG leaders. Descriptive quantitative
and content analysis for qualitative data was undertaken respectively.
Results: Almost a quarter of the savings groups had 5–14 members and slightly more than
half of the saving groups had 15–30 members. Ninety-three percent of the CBSGs indicated
electing their management committees democratically to select the group leaders and held
meetings at least once a week. Eighty-nine percent of the CBSGs had used metallic boxes to
keep their money, while 10% of the CBSGs kept their money using mobile money and banks,
respectively. The main reasons for the formation of CBSGs were to increase household
income, developing the community and saving for emergencies. The most common challenges
associated with CBSG management included high illiteracy (35%) among the leaders,
irregular attendance of meetings (22%), and lack of training on management and leadership
(19%). The qualitative findings agreed with the quantitative findings and served to triangulate
the main results.
Conclusions: Saving groups in Uganda have the basic required structures; however, challenges
exist in relation to training and management of the groups and their assets. The
government and development partners should work together to provide technical support to
the groups.
Description
Keywords
Community-based savings groups, Composition and management, Implementation science, Health insurance
Citation
Aloysius Mutebi, Rornald Muhumuza Kananura, Elizabeth Ekirapa-Kiracho, John Bua, Suzanne Namusoke Kiwanuka, Gertrude Nammazi, Ligia Paina & Moses Tetui (2017) Characteristics of community savings groups in rural Eastern Uganda: opportunities for improving access to maternal health services, Global Health Action, 10:sup4, 1347363, DOI: 10.1080/16549716.2017.1347363