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Implementation of a non-communicable disease clinic in rural Sierra Leone: early experiences and lessons learned

This study is an evaluation of the first cohort of patients enrolled in an outpatient non-communicable disease clinic in Kono, Sierra Leone. In the first year, the clinic enrolled 916 patients. Eight months after the enrollment of the last patient, 53% were still active in care, 43% had been lost to...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Kachimanga, Chiyembekezo, Dibba, Yusupha, Patiño, Marta, Gassimu, Joseph S., Lavallie, Daniel, Sesay, Santigie, Lado, Marta, Kulinkina, Alexandra V.
Formato: Online Artículo Texto
Lenguaje:English
Publicado: Palgrave Macmillan UK 2021
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8452567/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/34497378
http://dx.doi.org/10.1057/s41271-021-00304-y
Descripción
Sumario:This study is an evaluation of the first cohort of patients enrolled in an outpatient non-communicable disease clinic in Kono, Sierra Leone. In the first year, the clinic enrolled 916 patients. Eight months after the enrollment of the last patient, 53% were still active in care, 43% had been lost to follow-up (LTFU) and 4% had defaulted. Of the LTFU patients, 47% only came for the initial enrollment visit and never returned. Treatment outcomes of three patient groups [HTN only (n = 720), DM only (n = 51), and HTN/DM (n = 96)] were analyzed through a retrospective chart review. On average, all groups experienced reductions in blood pressure and/or blood glucose of approximately 10% and 20%, respectively. The proportions of patients with their condition controlled also increased. As NCDs remain underfunded and under-prioritized in low-income countries, the integrated program in Kono demonstrates the possibility of improving outpatient NCD care in Sierra Leone and similar settings.