Core Competencies in Administration for Meeting Standard Position Requirements in Public Health Professionals

Abstract

This research aims to analyze the competency components of public health administration among professionals and to propose a framework for defining these competencies using a mixed-methods approach. The study employs an explanatory sequential design with two phases. Phase 1: This phase focuses on identifying the competency components in public health management. Quantitative data were gathered from 2,760 members of the Council of Community-Public Health, who work in community settings. The data collection tool was a Likert scale questionnaire assessing the importance of various public health management competencies. Phase 2: This phase involves validating and defining the competencies through expert review. Experts include members of the Council of Community-Public Health, educators specializing in community public health, and stakeholders in public health operations. The findings indicate that public health administration competencies consist of two main components: 1) Public Health Administration, which includes 13 indicators, and 2) Leadership and Health Finance Administration, which includes 11 indicators. These components align with established standards for public health practitioners. The results can guide professional councils and health organizations in developing strategies to enhance public health administration competencies and can inform the design of curricula for public health administrators at various levels.