Knowledge And Skills Of Clinical Officers To Manage Patients With Hypertension And Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus At Rural Healthcare Facilities In Kisumu County, Kenya

ABSTRACT

While cost, inadequate supplies and training remain the major barriers to manage Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) globally, the knowledge and skill of clinical officers (CO) to manage patients with hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus (HTN&T2DM) remain poorly understood. This study investigated knowledge and skills of COs to care for patients with HTN&T2DM in rural healthcare facilities in Kisumu County, Kenya. The study determined ability to assess risk factors, examination, investigation, treatment, follow up patients and availability and use of resources. A total number of 146 [63 female (43.2%) and 83 males (56.8%)] COs were recruited into the study. The results showed that training in both hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus (OR=2.525, 95% CI; 0.708-9.006, P=0.153), knowledge of predisposing risk factors to HTN&T2DM (OR=9.256; 95% CI: 3.936-21.768; P