Preparedness of primary & secondary care health facilities for the management of non-communicable diseases in tribal population across 12 districts in India
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Date
2022-08
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Wolters Kluwer – Medknow
Abstract
Background and objectives: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are highly prevalent in the tribal populations; however, there are limited data regarding health system preparedness to tackle NCDs among these populations. We estimated the availability of human resources, equipment, drugs, services and knowledge of doctors for NCD management in the selected tribal districts in India. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 12 districts (one from each State) with at least 50 per cent tribal population in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and eight northeastern States. Primary health centres (PHCs), community health centres (CHCs) and district/sub-district hospitals (DHs) were surveyed and data on screening and treatment services, human resources, equipment, drugs and information systems indicators were collected and analysed. The data were presented as proportions.Results: In the present study 177 facilities were surveyed, including 156 PHCs/CHCs and 21 DHs. DHs and the majority (82-96%) of the PHCs/CHCs provided outpatient treatment for diabetes and hypertension. Overall, 97 per cent of PHCs/CHCs had doctors, and 78 per cent had staff nurses. The availability of digital blood pressure monitors ranged from 35 to 43 per cent, and drugs were either not available or inadequate. Among 213 doctors, three-fourths knew the correct criteria for hypertension diagnosis, and a few correctly reported diabetes diagnosis criteria. Interpretation & conclusions: The results of this study suggest that the health system of the studied tribal districts was not adequately prepared to manage NCDs. The key challenges included inadequately trained workforce and a lack of equipment and drugs. It is suggested that capacity building and, procurement and distribution of equipment, drugs and information systems to track NCD patients should be the key focus areas of national programmes
Description
Keywords
Cancers, diabetes, hypertension, indigenous, non-communicable diseases, preparedness, tribal
Citation
Kaur Prabhdeep, Borah P.K., Gaigaware Pooja, Mohapatra P.K., Das Nabajit K.R., Uike Pankaj V., Tobgay Karma Jigme, Tushi Aonungdok, Zorinsangi, Mazumdar Gautam, Marak Bibha, Pizi Dirang, Chakma Tapas, Sugunan A.P., Vijayachari P., Bhardwaj Rakesh R., Arambam Probin C., Kutum Tridip, Sharma Anand, Pal Piyalee, Shanmugapriya P.C., Manivel Prathab, Kaliyamoorthy Neelakandan, Chakma Joy, Mathur Prashant, Dhaliwal R.S., Mahanta J., Mehendale Sanjay M.. Preparedness of primary & secondary care health facilities for the management of non-communicable diseases in tribal population across 12 districts in India. Indian Journal of Medical Research. 2022 Aug; 156(2): 260-268