Study to Determine the Barriers in the Implementation of the National Program for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases, and Stroke in Satara District, Maharashtra: A Stakeholder’s Perspective

Abstract

Abstract Background: The Government of India started the National Program for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases, and Stroke (NPCDCS) in 2009, which was implemented in Satara district since 2014. To identify gaps and difficulties in the implementation of this program, the present study was planned with the following objective. Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine the barriers in the implementation of the NPCDCS program from a stakeholder’s perspective. Methodology: This facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted in different health facilities (30), and 96 staff working for the NPCDCS program were interviewed using a pretested and semi-structured questionnaire. Informed consent was drawn from stakeholders. The study was approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee. Statistical analysis was carried out using the SPSS version 20. Results: While 96 responders were interviewed, with a mean age of 36.55 years, 82.3% were women among them. The majority of them were working as ASHA (39.6%). Among them 73 (76.0%) had more than 3 years of program experience; however, most of them had contractual jobs, 64 (87.7%). Among perceived barriers satisfaction with the number of staff provided for the program, 60 (62.5%), satisfaction with the training of human resources, 47 (41.7%), and supply of medicine to facility, 38 (39.6%), were predominant. Conclusion: For effective implementation of NPCDCS, focusing on the supply of good-quality medicine in ample quantity is a must; lack of which will definitely push the beneficiaries away. Providing repetitive essential training to the program health workers will improve program staff performance. Increasing the number of staff provided for the program will help stakeholders to give more time toward this program, particularly to improve service delivery and ensure program success.