Assessment of Infrastructure Facilities, Manpower and Services in Primary Health Centres of Chittoor District, Andhra Pradesh

Abstract

Background: Since their establishment, the Primary Health Centers (PHCs) are being criticized for their inability to perform up to the expectations because of various reasons among which inadequate infrastructure and manpower is one reason. Objective: To assess the infrastructure facilities and manpower among the selected PHCs of Chittoor District. Materials and Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 22 stratified randomly selected PHCs of Chittoor District, Andhra Pradesh which had 88 PHCs i.e. 25.0% of the total existing PHCs of the District. PHCs established within the last 5 years were excluded from the study. Assessment of the existing infrastructure and equipment and the manpower and health services being provided by the PHCs with respect to the Indian Public Health Standards was done. The data has been analyzed by Microsoft excel using proportions. Results: Each PHC on an average had 10 sub-centres, covering the population of 49,728. 63.6% of PHCs were providing in-patient services and 63.6%, the emergency services. 43.9% and 36.3% of the PHCs failed to meet the IPH Standards with respect to having Medical Officer and Lady Medical Officer. Only 59.0% of PHCs were conducting deliveries despite the presence of labour room. Sufficient quantity of drugs was present in only 71.9% of PHCs. Conclusions: Not all the PHCs were providing the in-patient as well as emergency services including MTP and round the clock services. Most PHCs were not staffed as per the IPHS norms and were also without sufficient quantity of drugs.