Contribution of community health care volunteers in facilitating mobilization for diabetes and hypertension screening among the general population residing in urban puducherry - An operational research study.

Introduction: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) have contributed to almost half of the global disease burden. Many countries have experimented with Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) to provide necessary care for NCDs. We aimed at evaluating the contribution of CHVs in mobilizing adults for the Diabetes and Hypertension screening in a selected Primary Health Centre (PHC) of Puducherry, India.

Methodology: A community-based operational research study was conducted, where five volunteers from each of the 13 anganwadis functioning under the PHC were chosen as study participants. They were interviewed before enrolment for willingness. Four batches of sensitization and training sessions were conducted to provide the necessary training. CHVs were then given 3 months to mobilize the individuals for NCD screening. This model was evaluated using the Theoretical underpinning technique.

Results: Of the total 85 CHVs suggested, around 65 (76.5%) showed willingness for rendering services. Approximately 32 (49.2%) discontinued during the initial weeks of the intervention due to various reasons. The remaining CHVs could reach 363/1470 (24.7%), eligible individuals, among them, 303 (83.5) were convinced to visit the health centre for screening. From the total members who were screened, approximately 52 (17%) and 31 (10%) were diagnosed to have diabetes and hypertension respectively and were initiated on treatment as per national guidelines.

Conclusion: About half of the CHVs who volunteered, remained till the end and effectively contributed to a screening of NCDs. The involved volunteers aided in improvising the NCD coverage under the PHC.