Description
Background
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs),including hypertension (HTN) and diabetes mellitus (DM),are a growing public health burden in Kenya, accounting for 41% of all annual deaths. The increasing prevalence of these conditions,particularly within primary health care settings, underscores the urgent need for robust health information systems to support prevention,diagnosis,treatment,and continuity of care.Reliable and timely data capture, reporting, and utilization are critical to guide decision-making and resource allocation.Understanding facility-level readiness to adopt digital health tools is essential for designing sustainable interventions for integrated NCD management.
Objective
To assess facility readiness for data capture,reporting and utilization within Kenya’s national HTN/DM integration program.
Methods
A baseline survey was conducted between March and June 2024 across all 47 counties. Data collection focused on the availability and use of Ministry of Health (MoH) patient documentation tools,facility reporting registers,and electronic medical records (EMRs).Quantitative data were analyzed using R software.
Results
Among 323 surveyed Health Records and Information Officers (HRIOs), 81.2% reported availability of MoH patient files, yet only 68.8% indicated consistent use. Documentation practices varied across the 312 surveyed facilities (94 level 4, 152 level 3 and 66 level 2): Level 4 facilities primarily used patient files for diabetes (72%) and hypertension care (71%), while Level 2 and 3 facilities reported (12% and 19%, respectively).EMR adoption remained limited,reaching 28% in Level 4 facilities and under 9% in lower levels.Regarding MOH tools, level 4 facilities reported highest at (MOH 740, 42%),(MOH 222, 53%) and (MOH 270, 48%).Despite wide availability,utilization lagged at 32%, 43%, and 36%,respectively,highlighting persistent gaps between access and routine use.
Conclusion
Baseline findings reveal critical gaps in facility readiness for digital data capture and utilization,particularly at lower-tier facilities. Strengthening infrastructure,building health worker capacity, and fostering a data-use culture are urgent priorities to bridge these gaps and ensure sustainable NCD data management across Kenya’s primary health care system.
| Country | Kenya |
|---|---|
| Organization | Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) |
| Position | Monitoring and Evaluation Officer |
| Received a Grant? | No |
