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. 2023 Oct;33(Spec Iss 2):95-104.
doi: 10.4314/ejhs.v33i2.3S.

Communicable and Non-communicable Diseases Diagnosis and Treatment Service Availability at Primary Health Care Units During COVID-19 Outbreak in Ethiopia

Tajebew Zayede Gonete  1 , Netsanet Abera Asseffa  2 , Kassahun Dessie Gashu  1 , Binyam Tilahun  1 , Dessies Abebaw Angaw  1 , Meskerem Jisso  2 , Alemu Tamiso  2 , Akalewold Alemayehu  2 , Rekiku Fikre  2 , Biru Abdisa  3 , Habtamu Sime  3 , Elias Ali Yesuf  3 , Abdurezak Umer  4 , Mesfin Kebede  4 , Hussen Mohammed  4 , Bekele Yazie  4 , Kassu Ketema Gurmu  5 , Berhanu Fikadie Endehabtu  1
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Communicable and Non-communicable Diseases Diagnosis and Treatment Service Availability at Primary Health Care Units During COVID-19 Outbreak in Ethiopia

Tajebew Zayede Gonete et al. Ethiop J Health Sci. 2023 Oct.

Abstract

Background: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) pose a substantial global health challenge, resulting in an annual death toll of over 15 million individuals aged 30 to 69. Ethiopia, categorized as COVID-19 vulnerable, grapples with NCD treatment challenges. This study aims to assess disease service availability at primary health units in Ethiopia during the pandemic.

Methods: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from October to December 2021 across regions, encompassing 452 facilities: 92 health centers, 16 primary hospitals, 344 health posts, and 43 districts. Facility selection, based on consultation with regional health bureaus, included high, medium, and low performing establishments. The study employed the WHO tool for COVID-19 capacity assessment and evaluated services for various diseases using descriptive analysis.

Results: Results reveal service disruptions in the past year: hospitals (55.6%), health centers (21.7%), districts (30.2%), and health posts (17.4%). Main reasons were equipment shortages (42%), lack of skilled personnel (24%), and insufficient infection prevention supplies (18.8%). While tuberculosis treatment was fully available in 23% of health posts and malaria services in 65.7%, some health centers lacked HIV/AIDS, cardiovascular, mental health, and cervical cancer services. Most communicable and non-communicable disease diagnoses and treatments were fully accessible at primary hospitals, except for cervical cancer (56.3%) and mental health (62.5%) services.

Conclusion: Significant gaps exist in expected services at primary health units. Improving disease care accessibility necessitates strengthening the supply chain, resource management, capacity building, and monitoring systems.

Keywords: COVID-19; Communicable and non-communicable disease; Essential health services; Ethiopia; primary healthcare.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Essential health service list availability at PHCU, Ethiopia, 2021 Dx= Diagnosis, Rx = Treatment
Figure 2
Figure 2
Availability of major communicable and non-communicable disease prevention and control EHS at primary hospitals in Ethiopia, 2021
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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