A randomised controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of a culture and disease-specific, patient-centric multi-component tobacco cessation intervention package for the patients attending non-communicable disease clinics in Punjab, India.

BACKGROUND: Developing an infrastructure to support tobacco cessation through existing systems and resources is crucial for ensuring the greatest possible access to cessation services. The present study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a newly developed multi-component cessation among tobacco users in Non- Communicable Disease (NCD) clinics, functioning under the National Programme for Prevention & Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases, & Stroke (NPCDCS) of the Government of India. METHODS: The intervention package consisting of culture- and disease-specific four face-to-face counselling sessions, pamphlets, and short text messages (bilingual) with follow-ups at 3rd, 6th, and 9th months with an endline assessment at 12th months was delivered to the intervention arm of the two-arm- parallel group randomised controlled trial at two selected NCD clinics. Self-reported seven-day abstinence, frequency of use, expenditure in seven days at each follow-up, FTND score, stage of change and plasma cotinine values were assessed at baseline, follow-ups, and endline (using Liquid Chromatography -Mass Spectrometry), as applicable. RESULTS: The intervention arm reported a significantly more reduction in self-reported frequency of tobacco use at 6 months (mean: 13.6, 95% CI (7.8-19.4)), 9 months (mean: 20.3, 95% CI (12.2-28.4)) and 12 months (mean: 18.7, 95% CI (8.7-28.7)). The plasma cotinine concentration at endline in the intervention arm was statistically significantly lower than the baseline concentration. CONCLUSION: Strengthening existing health systems is crucial for offering cessation support in the resource-restraint setting of LMICs to assist in quitting sustainably.

Estimating the Cost of Delivering Tobacco Cessation Intervention Package at Noncommunicable Disease Clinics in Two Districts of North India.

INTRODUCTION: Integrated care is likely to improve outcomes in strained healthcare systems while limiting costs. NCD clinics were introduced under the "National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Disease, and Stroke" (NPCDCS) in India; however, there is limited literature on the costs of delivering tobacco cessation interventions within NPCDCS. One of the study's objectives was to estimate the cost of delivering a culturally specific patient-centric behavioral intervention package in two district-level NCD clinics in Punjab, India. METHODS: Costing was undertaken using the health systems perspective. A top-down or financial costing approach and a bottom-up or activity-based approach were employed at each step of development and implementation. The opportunity cost was used to include the cost of human resources, infrastructure, and capital resources used. All infrastructure and capital costs were annualized using a 3% annual discount rate. Four additional scenarios were built up concerning three major components to reduce costs further when rolled out on a large scale. RESULTS: The cost of intervention package development, human resource training, and unit cost of implementation were estimated to be INR 6,47,827 (USD 8,874); INR 134,002 (USD 1810); and INR 272 (USD 3.67), respectively. Based on our sensitivity analysis results, the service delivery cost varied from INR 184 (USD 2.48) to INR 326 (USD 4.40) per patient. CONCLUSION: The development costs of the intervention package accounted for the majority proportion of the total cost. Of the total unit cost of implementation, the telephonic follow-up, human resources, and capital resources were the major contributory components. IMPLICATIONS: The current study aims to fill gaps by estimating the unit-level health systems cost of a culturally sensitive, disease-specific, and patient-centric tobacco cessation intervention package delivered at the outpatient settings of NCD clinics at the secondary level hospital, which represents a major link in the health care system of India. Findings from this study could be used to provide supportive evidence to policymakers and program managers for rolling out such interventions in established NCD clinics through the NPCDCS program of the Indian Government.

Feasibility of tobacco cessation intervention at non-communicable diseases clinics: A qualitative study from a North Indian State.

BACKGROUND: One of the 'best buys' for preventing Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) is to reduce tobacco use. The synergy scenario of NCDs with tobacco use necessitates converging interventions under two vertical programs to address co-morbidities and other collateral benefits. The current study was undertaken with an objective to ascertain the feasibility of integrating a tobacco cessation package into NCD clinics, especially from the perspective of healthcare providers, along with potential drivers and barriers impacting its implementation. METHODS: A disease-specific, patient-centric, and culturally-sensitive tobacco cessation intervention package was developed (published elsewhere) for the Health Care Providers (HCPs) and patients attending the NCD clinics of Punjab, India. The HCPs received training on how to deliver the package. Between January to April 2020, we conducted a total of 45 in-depth interviews [medical officers (n = 12), counselors (n = 13), program officers (n = 10), and nurses (n = 10)] within the trained cohort across various districts of Punjab until no new information emerged. The interview data wereanalyzed deductively based on six focus areas concerning feasibility studies (acceptability, demand, adaptation, practicality, implementation, and integration) using the 7- step Framework method of qualitative analysis and put under preset themes. RESULTS: The respondent's Mean ± SD age was 39.2± 9.2 years, and years of service in the current position were 5.5 ± 3.7 years. The study participants emphasized the role of HCPs in cessation support (theme: appropriateness and suitability), use of motivational interviewing, 5A's & 5R's protocol learned during the training & tailoring the cessation advice (theme: actual use of intervention activities); preferred face-to-face counseling using regional images, metaphors, language, case vignettes in package (theme: the extent of delivery to intended participants). Besides, they also highlighted various roadblocks and facilitators during implementation at four levels, viz. HCP, facility, patient, and community (theme: barriers and favorable factors); suggested various adaptations to keep the HCPs motivated along with the development of integrated standard operating procedures (SOPs), digitalization of the intervention package, involvement of grassroots level workers (theme: modifications required); the establishment of an inter-programmatic referral system, and a strong politico-administrative commitment (theme: integrational perspectives). CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that implementing a tobacco cessation intervention package through the existing NCD clinics is feasible, and it forges synergies to obtain mutual benefits. Therefore, an integrated approach at the primary & secondary levels needs to be adopted to strengthen the existing healthcare systems.

Development of a multi-component tobacco cessation training package utilizing multiple approaches of intervention development for health care providers and patients attending non-communicable disease clinics of Punjab, India.

Background: Providing patients with personalized tobacco cessation counseling that is culturally sensitive, and disease-specific from healthcare providers (HCPs) as part of their routine consultations is an approach that could be incorporated, using existing healthcare systems such as the Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) clinics. This paper describes the development of a multi-component culturally tailored, patient-centric, disease-specific tobacco cessation package utilizing multiple approaches of intervention development for healthcare providers and patients attending these clinics in Punjab, India, along with a proposed framework for implementation. Methods: The proposed intervention package was developed in 6 stages. These included a review of literature for identifying successful cessation interventions for ethnic minority groups, co-production of the package with all stakeholders involved via a series of consultative meetings and workshops, understanding contextual factors of the state and 'factor-in' these in the package, pre-test of the package among HCPs and tobacco users using in-depth interviews, micro detailing and expansion of the package by drawing on existing theories of the Cascade Model and Trans-Theoretical Model and developing an evolving analysis plan through real-world implementation at two pilot districts by undertaking a randomized controlled trial, assessing implementer's experiences using a mixed-method with a primary focus on qualitative and economic evaluation of intervention package. Results: A multi-component package consisting of a booklet (for HCPs), disease-specific pamphlets and short text messages (for patients; bilingual), and an implementation framework was developed using the 6-step process. A major finding from the in-depth interviews was the need for a specific capacity-building training program on tobacco cessation. Therefore, using this as an opportunity, we trained the in-service human resource and associated program managers at the state and district-level training workshops. Based on the feedback, training objectives were set and supported with copies of intervention package components. In addition, the role and function of each stakeholder were defined in the proposed framework. Conclusion: Consideration of tobacco users' socio-cultural and patient-centric approach makes a robust strategy while developing and implementing an intervention providing an enlarged scope to improve care services for diversified socio-cultural communities.

Health system readiness for roll out of the Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellnes Centres - Early experiences from Punjab State.

Background: The Government of India launched the Ayushman Bharat (AB) program in 2018 which aims to transform 150,000 existing Sub Health Centres and Primary Health Centres into Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs). In this study, we assessed health system readiness for establishment of HWCs. Methods: The assessment comprised of a cross sectional facility assessment and a knowledge assessment of community health officers (CHOs) and female multipurpose health workers also known as auxiliary nurse midwives (ANMs), in 26 HWCs in one community development block of Punjab state. HWCs were assessed for key input and process parameters such as a human resource, physical infrastructure, supplies, capacity building etc., and processes including health promotion, community participation, digitization of management information system, and service delivery. Results: It was observed that only 7 of the 26 HWCs had all human resources as per guidelines. The median knowledge score of CHOs and ANMs was 54% and 51% respectively. 11 of the 26 HWCs were co-located with Zila Parishad SHCs. Out of the 15 standalone HWCs, while 9 had independent buildings, 5 were located in buildings of other community level institutions. 50 percent of the HWCs were not able to perform diabetes screening due to lack of glucometers or testing supplies. While services for non-communicable diseases were available, a two-way referral tracking system for patients was missing. The mean job satisfaction rated by the newly appointed CHOs was 3.12 on a scale of 1 to 5, where 5 represented very high job satisfaction. Conclusion: The operationalization of HWCs requires State and local level interventions for strengthening of existing physical infrastructure, ensuring a regular supply of medicines and consumables, development of referral mechanisms for patients and enhancing community participation.

What and how much do the community health officers and auxiliary nurse midwives do in health and wellness centres in a block in Punjab? A time-motion study.

BACKGROUND: The Government of India introduced a new cadre of Community Health Officers (CHOs) in the primary health-care system through the Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) program. OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to assess the activities performed and time spent by the existing and new primary health-care team members at the HWC level. METHODS: A time and motion study was undertaken in four HWCs in Punjab over a period of 3 months, to assess the time spent by auxiliary nurse midwives (ANMs) and CHOs on different services and activities. Data were collected through direct continuous observation of four CHOs and four ANMs during working hours for a period of 6 consecutive days of a week, along with structured time allocation interviews of all participants. RESULTS: The CHOs spent 5.7 (5.6-5.9) hours per day on duty of which 57% was productively involved in service delivery. The average time spent by ANMs was 4.9 (4.5-5.3) hours per day, with nearly 62% productive time. While the CHOs spent nearly 40% of their time on services for non-communicable diseases (NCDs), the ANMs spent 51% of their time on maternal, infant, child, and adolescent health services. CONCLUSION: The introduction of HWCs and CHOs has nudged the health system toward comprehensive primary health care by placing a renewed emphasis on NCDs. The study provides useful evidence for staff, program implementers, and policymakers, to aid informed decision-making for human resource management.