Capacity needs assessment of primary health care providers in selected municipalities in Cavite

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE@#Primary Health Care (PHC) refers to essential health care that is made accessible, acceptable and affordable to individuals and families in the community. As such, it is imperative for PHC providers to possess the necessary competencies responsive to the current health care demands. This study aims to determine the current capacity of PHC providers and their need for capability building.@*METHODS@#The study employed a quantitative descriptive design with 87 purposively-selected PHC providers and five administrators from selected rural municipalities in Cavite. It is adapted from the study, “Capacity-building of primary healthcare providers in 10+3 Southeast and East Asian Nursing Education and Research Network (SEANERN) countries”.@*RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS@#The perceived level of knowledge of the PHC providers on the elements of PHC were all rated to be proficient. Maternal and child care received the highest score, while health education received the lowest score. The perceived level of skills of the PHC providers was also rated to be proficient. Sanitation and water received the highest score, while treatment of common diseases and injuries received the lowest score. Similar to the perceived levels of knowledge and skills, the perceived level of attitudes of the PHC providers were also proficient, with environmental sanitation having the highest score but treatment of common diseases and injuries having the lowest score. However, from the perspective of health administrators, they rated the PHC providers one level lower or needs minimal support. Training and capacity building in all elements of PHC was identified as the most needed by the PHC providers. Their most preferred method of training is workshop.@*CONCLUSIONS@#There are high perceived levels of knowledge, skills, and attitudes of the PHC providers in the elements of PHC. Despite the high scores, objective outcomes such as the MMR and immunization coverage do not reflect the proficient scores of the PHC providers. There are also other health conditions and issues such as noncommunicable diseases and injuries that need to be addressed using PHC approach. Given this, it is vital that appropriate training and adequate hiring of PHC providers be reinforced nationwide in order to meet the health goals and needs of the country.