Citizen perception of living conditions and municipal management in two rural Honduran communities

Abstract

Introduction. The satisfaction of communities with the coverage of their basic needs and the performance of municipal governments should be considered in development plans. Perceptions were evaluated in two rural communities in Honduras. Methods. A 16-question questionnaire was surveyed on access to drinking water, infrastructure, basic education, management of municipal authorities and aspects related to living conditions. We interviewed 114 families from two adjacent communities in the Municipality of Guaimaca, Francisco Morazán, who were attended by a medical brigade. Results. 91% of families reported access to water -especially well water-, 22% had children who did not go to school, 79% reported having houses built with adequate materials and 71% of the heads of household were employed. Literacy contributed to the likelihood that heads of household had paid work. Forty-three percent of households had indicators of being below the poverty line. Only 19% were aware of the existence of support from the mayor's office for entrepreneurship and 62% felt that external development assistance was not being sought. Requests to the mayor's office included roads, transportation and equipped health service. Conclusion. The majority of families reported poor conditions, as well as high expectation combined with high dissatisfaction about municipal government performance. Public officials should consider these opinions.