Assessment of the Integration between Primary Health Care and Public Health in Almaty

Abstract

This article presents the results of the study on assessing the degree of integration between primary health care (PHC) and public health (PH) in Almaty. The purpose of the study is to assess the degree of integration between PHC and PH in Almaty in accordance with the European framework for action on integrated health services delivery (EFFA IHSD). The relevance of the studylies in a comprehensive analysis from the position of integration between PHC and PH in Almaty. Research team: Kazakhstan School of Public Health, with the methodological support of the European Regional Office of the World Health Organization (WHO EURO), conducted a study. The EFFA IHSD of WHO has formed the basis for its development. Methodology: We conducted an analytical review and interviews with key informants. The analytical review included an analysis of the indicators characterizing the healthcare system. In the study we used the following research methods: bibliographic, analytical and interviewing. For the interviews with key informants we used the Interview protocol for key informant interviews, developed by WHO EURO in a step-by-step guide for developing profiles on health services delivery transformations. Results: We evaluated the morbidity of the population of Almaty with priority (infectious and non-infectious) socially significant diseases: diseases of the circulatory system, diabetes mellitus, tuberculosis, oncology, injuries. Evaluating the morbidity and mortality, it should be stated that the introduction of an integrated approach with the development and improvement of PHC and PH yielded improved health outcomes in Almaty. According to the existing model of integration between PHC and PH in the Republic of Kazakhstan, we have identified and conducted several interviews with key informants on initiatives. Conclusion: This study shows trends and an overall picture in the integration between PHC and PH. The results of our study showed that PHC and PH have as a series of specific and a number of overlapping functions.