Assessment of the facilities provided to patients in selected Basic Health Units (BHUs) of Peshawar, Pakistan

Abstract

Introduction: Primary health care is essential healthcare made universally accessible to individuals and acceptable to them through their full participation and at an affordable cost. It can be effectively delivered at the Basic health unit (BHU). Assessment of its performance at regular basis is also crucial for the health care system.
 Objectives: To assess the services (EPI, antenatal care and basic healthcare) provided at selected BHUs of Peshawar with a view to determine service provision gaps in these BHUs.
 Materials & Methods: It was a questionnaire based descriptive survey conducted from September to November 2019, in which simple random sampling technique was used to select 15 BHUs of district Peshawar for assessment and evaluation purposes. Data were collected using a checklist and an indigenous structured questionnaire where responses were recorded in yes/no format. Data analyzed using SPSS V.22 for descriptive statistics.
 Results: All vaccines of the EPI program were being provided in BHUs except for Hepatitis B. Regarding BHU staff, in 80% BHUs male medical officers were absent, and in 40% BHUs female medical officers were absent. For the Maternal and Child Health Care (MCHC) services, Tetanus Toxoid vaccine and Folic Acid supplements were present in all BHUs but status of malnutrition was unsatisfactory. About 80% of BHUs had a satisfactory infrastructure; the safety and sanitation precautions in BHUs were not up to the mark regarding disposal of hazardous waste and needles.
 Conclusion: Majority of the healthcare facilities were present in sampled BHUs including immunization services, MCHC services, infrastructure, safety, and sanitation. While the female staff was adequate in number, the attendance of male staff was poor.
 Primary health care; basic health unit; Immunization; Prenatal care