Factors influencing the competencies in prevention and control of chronic diseases among primary healthcare workers in Bhutan

Abstract

Chronic diseases are the leading caue of mortality of worldwide. The burden of chronic diseases are highest among low and middle income countries. Literatures confirms that prevention and control of chronic disease necessitates robust primary health care system with competent healthcare workforce. Emphirical information on competency in prevention and control of chronic disease and its determinant among primary healthcare workers in Bhutan is limited. This study aims to examine level of competencies and factors influencing the competencies in prevention and control of chronic diseases among primary healthcare workers. A descriptive cross sectional study design was employed. Data for this study was collected from the health facilities across all the 20 districts of Bhutan. Simple random sampling was used to recruit the study sample. 330 pimary healthcare workers responded to the questionnaire. The validated and reliablity tested structured self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. The ICV-I was 0.90 and Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient was 0.97. A stepwise multiple regression analysis was employed to determine the predictive factors of the competency. The overall mean score of the competency was 191 (SD= 25.7). 96% of participants rated competent in prevention and control of chronic diseases. The multiple regression indicated that work environment (β = 0.473), gender (β = 0.126), location of health facility (β = -0.114), and organizational support (β = 0.117) significantly influenced the competencies in prevention and control of chronic diseases by 31.4% with a statistical significance (R2 = 0.314), (p < 0.05). Findings from study suggests that although the competency among primary healthcare workers appeared high, ensuring adequate learning resources, intensifying supportive supervision in rural health centers and strenghtening the reward and recognition measures could further enhance the competency.

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