This survey was undertaken in November and December 1995, commissioned by the Ministry of Public Services as part of their programme of public services reform. Funding came from the World Bank. CIET undertook the survey in collaboration with UNICEF and the Institute of Statistics and Applied Economics at Makerere University. The survey covered 40 representative sites in 9 districts: about 27,000 people in 5,500 households. Data were collected from households, together with community key informants, focus group discussions and institutional reviews. The baseline survey focused on Health and Agriculture services and demonstrated the feasibility of collecting information about use, experiences and perceptions of these services, giving a basis for setting performance standards for the services covered.

 

In most districts more households had used non-government health services (including private, traditional and pharmacy services) than government health services in the previous month. Common complaints about health services were lack of medicines, poor facilities and poor treatment. More than half of households reported willingness to pay for improved health services, although only small amounts. Although agriculture is important to the economy, only about 10% of households reported ever having a visit from an agriculture extension worker. Focus groups indicated that farmers wanted more visits and assistance with farming, and over half of households said they would be willing to pay for extension services.