Staff Members - Benha University
Evaluation of Primary Health Care service participation in the National Tuberculosis Control Program in Qalyubia Governorate, Egypt
Egyptian Journal of Chest Diseases and Tuberculosis • 2015
Publication Information
Authors
Dina S Elsayed, Mahmoud M Al Salahy, Nabil A Abdelghaffar Hibah, Gehan F El Mehy, Tarek S Essawy, Rasha Sh Eldesouky
Keywords
Not Available
Journal
Egyptian Journal of Chest Diseases and Tuberculosis
Publisher
Elsevier
Volume
64
Issue
4
Pages
921-928
publication.type
International
Paper Link
Open Link
Supplementary Materials
Not Available
Abstract
Objective
The aim of this work was to evaluate the Primary Health Care service performance in National Tuberculosis Control Program in Qalyubia Governorate.
Methods
The studied area (Qalyubia Governorate) includes 8 health territories (each contains 5 primary care units/centers).
A questionnaire based on 6 parameters was used to evaluate the PHC system performance: I – Physicians with basic knowledge about TB (causative agent, methods of spread, clinical picture, essential steps in investigations: X-ray and sputum smear), II – Facilities for primary investigation (sputum examination and chest X-ray), III – Communication with the central health authorities or a TB specialist, IV – Proper recording systems needed for proper patient management and follow up, V – Follow up schedules are available for the detected patients, VI – Have a role in community education about the disease. The data obtained were tabulated and statistically analyzed.
Results
Studied area included 8 health territories and 40 primary care units (35% were urban and 65% rural) with one physician in each unit. The mean percent of the correct answers of the basic knowledge score was 48.2% (range = 18%–100%), higher in urban units physicians than rural units physicians, with lack of proper laboratory (for sputum analysis) or X-ray apparatus. Communication with central health authorities in urban areas was higher than rural areas (65.4% versus 57.1%). Case recording was lower in urban than rural areas (42.9% versus 46.2%). Patient follow up after referral to central health units was higher in rural than urban areas (11.5% versus 7.1%). Participation of community education was 78.6% in urban units and 76.9% in rural units.
Conclusion
In Qalyubia Governorate, PHC physicians lack proper knowledge about TB and their units lack proper equipments (Lab and CXR). The PHC system needs to be empowered by the health care authorities through training and equipments for better performance in NTP.
The aim of this work was to evaluate the Primary Health Care service performance in National Tuberculosis Control Program in Qalyubia Governorate.
Methods
The studied area (Qalyubia Governorate) includes 8 health territories (each contains 5 primary care units/centers).
A questionnaire based on 6 parameters was used to evaluate the PHC system performance: I – Physicians with basic knowledge about TB (causative agent, methods of spread, clinical picture, essential steps in investigations: X-ray and sputum smear), II – Facilities for primary investigation (sputum examination and chest X-ray), III – Communication with the central health authorities or a TB specialist, IV – Proper recording systems needed for proper patient management and follow up, V – Follow up schedules are available for the detected patients, VI – Have a role in community education about the disease. The data obtained were tabulated and statistically analyzed.
Results
Studied area included 8 health territories and 40 primary care units (35% were urban and 65% rural) with one physician in each unit. The mean percent of the correct answers of the basic knowledge score was 48.2% (range = 18%–100%), higher in urban units physicians than rural units physicians, with lack of proper laboratory (for sputum analysis) or X-ray apparatus. Communication with central health authorities in urban areas was higher than rural areas (65.4% versus 57.1%). Case recording was lower in urban than rural areas (42.9% versus 46.2%). Patient follow up after referral to central health units was higher in rural than urban areas (11.5% versus 7.1%). Participation of community education was 78.6% in urban units and 76.9% in rural units.
Conclusion
In Qalyubia Governorate, PHC physicians lack proper knowledge about TB and their units lack proper equipments (Lab and CXR). The PHC system needs to be empowered by the health care authorities through training and equipments for better performance in NTP.