Health Services Availability and Readiness for Management of Hypertension and Diabetes in Primary Care Health Facilities in Ghana: a Cardiovascular Risk Management project.

INTRODUCTION

Hypertension and diabetes are leading causes of adult hospital admissions and mortality across health facilities in Ghana. Timely screening and diagnosis at primary health facilities are crucial to initiate treatment and avert complications. This study explored service availability and readiness of health systems for managing hypertension and diabetes in selected district hospitals in Ghana.

METHODS

We adapted the World Health Organization (WHO) Service Availability and Readiness Assessment (SARA) tool to assess hypertension and diabetes management practices between June and July 2022 in four district hospitals in Ghana. Domain scores of service readiness were calculated based on the mean score of tracer item availability, transformed into percentages, and stratified by facility ownership. The mean readiness index was based on basic clinical logistics and equipment, diagnostic capacity, and first-line medications. Service availability was based on the core health workforce and specific service arrangements for the management of hypertension and diabetes. Facilities were considered 'ready' for services at a cut-off readiness score of 70%.

RESULTS

All facilities (n = 4, 100%) provided hypertension and diabetes services, with a median of 118 nurses (IQR 103-140) and 5 physicians (IQR 2-8). Only one facility (n = 1, 25%) had conducted cardiovascular disease training in the past year. All basic equipment (weighing scales, stethoscopes, glucometers, and blood pressure monitors) were available in all 4 facilities. Antihypertensives, including ACE inhibitors (n = 3; 75%), calcium channel blockers (n = 4; 100%), centrally acting agents (n = 4; 100%), and thiazides (n = 4; 100%), were available, as were antidiabetic medications like metformin (n = 4; 100%) and insulin (n = 2; 50%). Only two facilities (n = 2; 50%) could perform the required test (Hemoglobin A1c, full blood count, renal function, serum creatinine, blood urea, electrolytes, and blood lipid tests). Overall readiness score was 75.5%, essential medications (83.5%), basic equipment (78%), clinical guidelines for the management of cardiovascular disease management (75%), and diagnostic capacity (65.5%). Mission facilities had a higher readiness score (96%) and government facilities (55%).

CONCLUSION

Facilities demonstrated high readiness for basic hypertension and diabetes care, with higher availability of some essential medications and basic clinical logistics and equipment. Limited diagnostic capacity and cardiovascular disease training, highlight areas of improvement to strengthen hypertension and diabetes services in Ghana.