DIABETES MANAGEMENT AT COMMUNE HEALTH CENTERS OF THUA THIEN HUE PROVINCE

Diabetes and its consequences have become serious public health problems in many countries. Enhancing continuity of care and diabetes management at primary care plays a crucial, sustainable and cost-effective role in health care. Objectives: To describe the current situation of diabetes management at commune health centers (CHCs) in Thua Thien Hue province. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the total 152 CHCs in Thua Thien Hue province. Service availability and readiness assessment (SARA-WHO) instrument was used to assess diabetes management of CHCs. Results: Diabetes diagnosis and/or treatment were available at 40.8% of CHCs surveyed. There was a low percentage of CHCs fully equipped for screening and early detection of diabetes (18.4%). Most of CHCs delivered prevention services regarding risk factors of diabetes. All CHCs weren’t equipped with adequate medication for diabetes management prescribed by the Ministry of Health. Metformin (33.6%) and gliclazide (28.3%) were offered at the CHCs. Conclusion: Diabetes prevention and management services at grassroots level have not been fully and widely deployed throughout the province. It’s strongly recommended to enhance the availability and readiness of diabetes management services and to invest the essential supplies and medication for diabetes screening, early detection and treatment at primary care, particularly for CHCs in the rural and mountainous areas. Key words: Diabetes management, commune health center, primary care, SARA