Abstracts

Knowledge, skills, and training of community health promoters to contribute to community‑based services for diabetes and hypertension in Kenya

Not scheduled

20m

Oral Community Engagement & Promotion

Speaker

Ann Mwangi (Focus Projects and Research Organization (FOPRO))

Description

Background: Community Health Promoters (CHPs) are a critical link between communities, health providers, and government by promoting health, guiding patients to care, and supporting essential services. With the rising burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Kenya, their role in prevention, early detection, and patient support is increasingly important. This study examined the knowledge, skills, and training of CHPs in Kenya on NCD management.

Methods: This study was conducted as part of the World Diabetes Foundation (WDF)-supported project on strengthening community-based diabetes and hypertension care in Kenya. A cross-sectional survey was carried out in all 47 counties (March–June 2024). A total of 311 CHPs, each with at least six months of service, were randomly selected from community health units linked to dispensaries, health centers, and sub-county hospitals. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire covering knowledge of NCDs, skills in screening and counseling, training received, and availability of CHP kits. Descriptive statistics were used for analysis.

Results: Most CHPs (84.5%) were aged 35–65 years, and 61.4% were female. Over half (51.8%) had attained secondary education, with an average of 10.8 years of service. A majority (67.8%) reported training in hypertension screening, while fewer had been trained in prevention (62.4%) or follow-up (64.6%). Training on Kenya’s Electronic Community Health Information System (eCHIS) was high (82%). Most CHPs (86.2%) had functional kits for less than six months; 79.7% could measure blood pressure, and 65.9% were familiar with blood glucose testing. Knowledge scores revealed low knowledge for diabetes (43.7%), moderate for hypertension (56.6%), and high for heart attack (83%).

Conclusion: CHPs are vital for NCD management, but gaps in knowledge, skills, and training persist. Refresher courses, standardized training, and reliable access to functional kits and job aids are needed to strengthen prevention, early detection, and follow-up for NCDs in Kenya.