HEALTH EDUCATION RESOURCES AVAILABILITY FOR DIABETES AND HYPERTENSION AT PRIMARY CARE SETTINGS, ASEER REGION, SAUDI ARABIA

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the availability of health materials and means on diabetes and hypertension at PHCCs in Aseer region, Saudi Arabia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was carried out in PHCCs in Aseer region. A questionnaire was distributed to all PHCCs in the region. The questionnaire elicited information on the total population served, the number of diabetic and hypertensive patients, and the availability of health materials for diabetes and hypertension. Data were entered and analyzed by using SPSS. RESULTS: A total of 242 PHCCs out of 245 responded to this questionnaire. There were 20 health educators (8%).Availability of health education materials ranged between 10 to 50%. Health education programs for Diabetes and hypertension were available in more than 90% of PHCCs. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that most of PHCCs in Aseer region lacked essential health education materials and means for diabetes and hypertension and, therefore were in urgent need of these materials from the Health Education Department, private health sectors and drug companies.