Description
Introduction: Non-Communicable diseases(NCDs) are increasingly affecting rural communities in Kenya, where access to screening and treatment is limited and awareness remain low. Primary Healthcare (PHC) provides a critical entry point for NCDs prevention and management. Community health and Advocacy play a vital role in addressing this challenges by empowering individuals with knowledge, promoting health behaviours and building stronger connections with health system.
This Abstract highlights field experience from Community-based work during my mentorship at Samburu Sub-County hospital.
Methods: Through my role at Samburu Sub-County hospital I worked with households, schools and community groups to promote awareness on NCDs risk factors, including poor diet, physical inactivity, tobacco use and alcohol consumption.
Advocacy efforts involved engaging local leaders, CHPs and health facility staffs to support integration of NCD screening and referral into PHC.
Monitoring relied on participation records, community feedback and follow up on referrals.
Results: During the whole period we reached hundreds of families and school children with health messages on NCD prevention. Household visits provided personalized guidance, while school programs encourage young people to adopt healthier lifestyles.
Community dialogue fostered open discussions and promoted collective responsibility for health advocacy led to stronger collaboration between CHPs and health facilities, enabling smoother referral of individuals at risk of HTN and diabetes.
Community members reported greater awareness of NCD risk factors and local leaders expressed readiness to support preventive interventions within PHC structure.
Conclusion: Experiences from Samburu Sub-County demonstrates that community health and advocacy are effective strategies for reducing the burden of NCDs. By raising awareness, strengthening community-facility linkages and engaging local leadership this approach promotes early prevention and improved health-seeking behaviours scaling up initiatives across Kenya could significantly advance equitable NCD prevention and contribute to the country's universal health coverage goals.
| Country | Kenya |
|---|---|
| Organization | Others |
| Position | Community Health Worker |
| Received a Grant? | No |
