Level of preparedness in screening for COPD and asthma at Primary Health Care facilities of a local government area of Plateau State, Nigeria.

Abstract

Background: The prevalence of COPD and asthma are on the rise. Both diseases have preventable risk factors. Primary healthcare facilities have a role to play in the prevention of these diseases. This study sought to assess the readiness of PHC facilities to screen for, diagnose and make referrals for COPD and asthma in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Methods: A cross-sectional assessment of 24 facilities was made. Data were collected with the use of a facility checklist adapted from a WHO Rapid Assessment Tool. Data were processed and analyzed with Epi-Info version 7.2 and presented as frequencies percentages and means.  

Results: For the facilities, it was found that the community health extension workers were the cadre most available for human resources (average of 4.1 ± 2.7 per facility). Only one person had received in-service training in chronic respiratory diseases. No guidelines were sighted for screening of CRDs and all the facilities lacked the instruments and drugs for screening and diagnosis of COPD and asthma. All the facilities were able to refer when needed but lacked the necessary support in terms of transportation and communication gadgets.

Conclusion: Primary Health care facilities in Jos North LGA lack the preparedness to screen for and diagnose COPD and asthma. There is a need for the equipping of primary health care facilities for this purpose.