Readiness of Primary Health Care Facilities to Deliver The Iran’s Package of Essential Non-Communicable Diseases (IraPEN) Program: A district-wide cross-sectional study from Iran

Abstract

Background: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) pose a major threat to human health and socio-economic development. The package of essential non-communicable diseases (IraPEN) program was launched in Iran in 2015 which is a crucial primary healthcare intervention for early NCDs detection and care continuity. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the readiness of district primary health network to implement IraPEN.

Methods: This cross-sectional study evaluated all primary health centers (PHCs) in Kerman implementing the IraPEN program. PHCs were assessed using a checklist prepared based on the program’s implementation guidelines and WHO’s PEN standards. The checklist covered five main dimensions (5S's) including space staff stuff, systems, and surveillance. Each dimension had its own specific indicators. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 22.

Findings: Among comprehensive community health centers (CCHCs), the systems and surveillance dimensions achieved the highest good score, reaching 90.6%, whereas the stuff dimension received the highest poor score, at 15.6%. For health posts (HPs), the surveillance dimension attained the highest good score, standing at 83%, while the medical equipment dimension acquired the highest poor score, at 81.3%. Among health houses (HHs), the space dimension obtained the highest good score, reaching 96%, and the stuff dimension received the highest poor score, at 57%. Overall, in Kerman, the surveillance dimension garnered the highest good score, at 82.3%, while the stuff dimension obtained the highest poor score 57.8%.  

Conclusion: The findings of this study offer valuable insights into the strengths and weaknesses of healthcare centers regarding the readiness of the IraPEN, which can be leveraged to enhance center performance. Moreover, policymakers and health system managers should prioritize integrating NCD intervention programs into PHC, including patient referral mechanisms and family physician programs, as well as providing training and skills to healthcare staff and supporting stuff.