Resource availability for care of hypertensives at primary health settings in Southwestern Saudi Arabia

OBJECTIVE: To assess the availability of resources required for hypertension care at primary health care centers in Aseer region, Southwestern Saudi Arabia.

METHODS: This study was carried out at primary health care settings in Aseer region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), during during September 2001 by distributing a questionnaire to all the technical directors of primary health care centers (PHCCs) in Aseer region, KSA. The questionaire composed of 4 main parts that dealt with profile of these PHCCs and the degree of availability of the essential resources for care of hypertension. Data of the questionnaire was entered and analyzed by using statistical package for social sciences.

RESULTS: Ninty-nine percent of PHCCs responded to the questionnaire. The total served population was more than 970,000. The total registered hypertensive patient was 13087 patients. Seventy-five percent of PHCCs have chronic diseases mini-clinics, 90% have appointment system and management protocol for hypertension. Availability of health education materials, diagnostic tools and antihypertensive drugs ranged from 10-81.4%.

CONCLUSION: This study found that many essential resources for hypertension care were not adequately available. Urgent provision of these items is considered a priority in order to introduce good health care for hypertensive patients in Aseer region, KSA.