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Background The mental healthcare program is widely implemented in primary healthcare settings in Saudi Arabia. It consisted of early screening and management of mental health disorders associated with chronic health conditions. Family physicians are authorized to prescribe selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for early management of mental health disorders in primary healthcare centers (PHCs). The aim of the study is exploring the prevalence of various types of mental health disorders and to assess the prescribing pattern of SSRIs in PHCs. Materials and methods A cross-sectional study based on the data from electronic health records, telephone interviews, and prescriptions of individuals administered SSRIs at PHCs. Results Among 219 patients visiting PHCs, 67.6% were female participants. Forty-four percent of the patients were 20-30 years old and 61.2% of them received SSRI medications. The most prevalent chronic condition was diabetes (22.5%) followed by hypertension (20.5%) and asthma (6.4%). The most prevalent mental disorder was major depressive disorder (MDD; 78.1%), followed by anxiety disorder (7.3%), panic disorder (6.4%), and MDD with anxiety disorders (5.5%). Conclusion Implementing mental healthcare programs in PHCs is believed to promote population health. MDD was the predominant mental health disorder among patients visiting PHCs, and SSRIs were the most prescribed medications in this setting. This suggests that mental healthcare programs in PHCs are effective in improving mental health outcomes.

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Background: Utilizing antenatal care (ANC) is vital for maternal and neonatal well-being, especially in low-resource settings with healthcare challenges. Identifying factors impacting antenatal care this context, t of current situation in Sudan is crucial for developing strategies to improve maternal care. This study explores ANC utilization amidst COVID-19, security issues, and healthcare instability in primary health care centers in a resource-constrained environment, aiming to enhance maternal care access and quality. Methods: This is a mixed-methods study. Quantitative data were collected through a retrospective analysis of ANC attendance records before and during the pandemic. Demographic variables were analyzed for their association with ANC utilization. In-depth interviews were conducted to collect qualitative data from pregnant women and healthcare providers. These interviews focused on capturing the experiences, perceptions, and obstacles associated with antenatal care services during the pandemic and within the healthcare system challenges. Results: Preliminary quantitative analysis revealed a significant decline in ANC utilization during the pandemic. Fear of COVID-19 infection, disrupted transportation, and resource constraints have emerged as significant barriers to ANC attendance. The qualitative findings highlighted the impact of security challenges on healthcare access and the adaptation strategies employed, including mobile ANC clinics and telehealth consultations. Conclusion: This study illuminates the intricate landscape of ANC utilization in the face of a pandemic, security instability, and healthcare system vulnerability. Policymakers and stakeholders should collaborate to strengthen healthcare systems and ensure the continued provision of essential maternal health services during challenging times.

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Background: Unsafe traditional practices are performed in different societies, especially in developing countries, owing to poverty and low levels of education. Traditional practices are usually derived from the relationship between the environment and human attitudes toward nature. Some traditional practices originate from religious beliefs, cultures, or relatives advising new mothers. Objectives: To identify the types of unsafe traditional practices, understand the factors influencing their prevalence, and explore the potential consequences of these practices on newborn health. Methods: This descriptive, correlational study included 200 newborns whose mothers visited primary healthcare centers in Baghdad City. This study was conducted between January 2023 and June 2023. Data were collected from mothers by answering a questionnaire during interviews. The questionnaire consisted of two main parts: sociodemographic characteristics of the mothers and their newborns and 26 questions about traditional practices used to treat health problems in newborns. Results: A high percentage (84%) of Iraqi mothers used unsafe traditional practices to treat their newborns' problems (jaundice, gastrointestinal problems, sleep problems, eye problems, respiratory problems, bathing, and daily care). Conclusion: Many Iraqi mothers prefer to use traditional practices such as herbs, oils, burning, and Sagwa to treat their newborns' health problems. These practices can be harmful to newborns and threaten their lives. Therefore, it is recommended that mothers' awareness of traditional practices be increased.

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INTRODUCTION: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer in Saudi Arabia. Late stages of the disease are associated with increased mortality rates, and early detection is known to improve the disease course and significantly reduce the mortality rate. Physicians' knowledge and practices regarding CRC screening guidelines influence the successful implementation of screening programs. Understanding them is key to developing targeted interventions to enhance screening rates and promote early detection. METHODS: This study was a cross-sectional assessment of the current practice and knowledge of CRC screening among healthcare practitioners in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia, by using a questionnaire. This questionnaire had seven multiple-choice questions to assess knowledge and six multiple-choice questions to assess physicians' attitudes toward CRC screening.  Results: The mean age of participants was 33 years; 60.8% (n=113) were men and 39.2% (n=73) were women. The majority were Saudi nationals (n=169; 90.9%). Self-assessed knowledge levels varied: 42.5% considered their knowledge of CRC screening adequate, 27.4% indicated that it was poor, and 30.1% reported that it was satisfactory. Positive attitudes towards CRC screening were expressed by 83.9% of participants. Also, physicians' attitude scores varied by demographic factors. Significant correlations were found between attitude scores and marital status, medical qualification, and job title. There was no significant correlation between gender, nationality, and years of experience. The majority (75.3%) agreed that colonoscopy is the best available screening test, but highlighted issues with accessibility and actual availability. CONCLUSION: Findings from this study provide insights into physicians' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding CRC screening. Understanding these factors is crucial for developing effective interventions to enhance CRC screening rates and overall public health. Further education and standardized guidelines are recommended to address the variations observed in the study population.

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INTRODUCTION: Anaphylaxis is described as a severe allergic reaction, and prompt assistance is required by the patient to avoid any complications. The healthcare provider's knowledge plays an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of these cases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge among the primary healthcare providers working in the Qassim region of Saudi Arabia regarding the diagnosis and treatment of anaphylaxis. METHOD: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the four different governments of the Qassim region of Saudi Arabia. The calculated sample size for the study was 119 primary healthcare providers. A self-administered questionnaire was devised to collect data regarding the diagnosis and treatment of anaphylaxis patients. RESULTS: Thirty-six (28.8%) out of 119 physicians were 25-30 years old, followed by 33 (26.4%) who were more than 40 years old; 53 (42.4%) and 47 (36.7%) had less than five and more than 10 years of experience, respectively. Age and experience were found to be significantly associated with knowledge about the diagnostic criterion (p=0.003 and p=0.000, respectively), while experience was significantly associated with the correct identification of signs and symptoms (p=0.031). CONCLUSION: Knowledge about the diagnosis and management of anaphylaxis patients among primary healthcare providers was poor. Physicians are required to be educated to increase their level of knowledge to promptly diagnose and treat anaphylaxis cases.

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Objective: Diabetes mellitus represents a major burden globally and locally. Some diabetic patients may resort to the use of herbal medicine as another approach to control their blood glucose levels. This study aims to assess the prevalence and the perception of diabetic patients toward the usage of herbs in treating diabetes. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in a specialized polyclinic of the primary health care center in the National Guard hospital located in Jeddah. The questionnaire was interviewer-administered and a total of 196 diabetic patients were interviewed. Results: Of 196 patients interviewed, most (59.7%) have used herbs to treat diabetes. Cinnamon, garlic, fenugreek, and moringa were the most common herbs used by diabetic patients. Many herbal users (49.9%) reported that herbs can play a role in decreasing blood glucose levels and (48%) of herbal users prefer the use of herbs over conventional medicine in treating diabetes. Most diabetic patients (37.3%) gained their knowledge about herbs through media and the experiences of other diabetic patients and we found that the reason to use herbs the majority was to reap the benefits of the herbs (48.7%) or because of herbs on controlling diabetes and reducing diabetic complications (30.7%). Conclusion: This study concluded that herbs are commonly used among diabetic patients and the majority of patients perceive herbs as a cofactor in controlling diabetes.

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BACKGROUND: Although chronic kidney disease (CKD) is considered the major cause of morbidity and mortality in hypertension, the recognition and prevention of CKD remain deficient. CKD is one of the major health challenges in Egypt. CKD affects approximately 13% of the adult population, resulting in significant morbidity, mortality, and health care costs. Patients with more progressive stage 3 or stage 4 CKD experience a high rate of cardiovascular events and death compared to earlier stages of CKD. AIM: This study was performed to determine the prevalence and risk factors of CKD among hypertensive non-diabetic patients attending primary health care (PHC) centers in Cairo. METHODOLOGY: The study type is a cross-sectional study. Study setting: Two PHC centers: Saraya El-kobba and El-Sharabya. Sampling method: Recruitment of participants was done in one day weekly. Any known essential hypertensive patients aged 18 or more registered in the two PHC centers in Cairo. RESULTS: The prevalence of CKD was 33% among the hypertensive non-diabetic patients. Among CKD participants, the prevalence is more common in females (59.7%) than males (40.3%), in those who completed primary education and in the illiterates and low socioeconomic class. Surprisingly, it is more common in patients with positive family history of CKD and patients with ischemic heart disease and the antihypertensive drugs use. CONCLUSION: CKD has a high prevalence among hypertensive non-diabetic patients, and it has a significant morbidity and mortality among those patients.

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Background Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a breathing disorder that occurs while sleeping, characterized by periods of partial or complete airway collapse associated with a drop in oxygen saturation or arousal from sleep. OSA is associated with significant health consequences, including hypertension, obesity, coronary artery disease, metabolic dysfunction, cognitive decline, and cancer progression. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted at the four primary healthcare centers in the Ministry of National Guards Health Affairs (MNGHA) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The study included every adult 18- 65 years old. After informed consent was obtained, interviews were conducted using the Berlin questionnaire (BQ) to assess participants' prevalence and risk (OSA). SAS software version 9.4 was used to enter and analyze the data.  Results A total of 400 primary care attendants were approached. The overall prevalence of high-risk apnea was 21%. There was a significant difference in the high risk of apnea between a BMI greater than 30 and a BMI lower than 30 (p< 0.0001). There was a significant difference in the high risk of apnea between hypertension and normal blood pressure (p< 0.0001). Conclusion The BQ assessed the predictive factors related to the development and prevalence of OSA and showed a predominance in those with a BMI over 30 Kg/m2 or with a previous diagnosis of hypertension with no significant related risk among gender and age factors.

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Background Prediabetes is an asymptomatic intermediate state of hyperglycemia with a major risk of developing type 2 diabetes (T2D). It is a progressive condition; it can take a few years for patients to become diabetic from a prediabetes state. Objectives This study aimed to detect the prevalence rate of prediabetes among the adult population and to assess the association of the risk factors to prediabetes in both the male and female genders. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out in primary healthcare centers (PHC) in the city of Al Bahah, Saudi Arabia. A total of 378 study participants of both sexes from two central PHCs were eligible to participate in the study, which was conducted from January to February 2018. Data were collected through anthropometric measurements, laboratory investigations, and a predesigned questionnaire interview to identify demographic, lifestyle, and medical variables. Two blood tests were used to diagnose prediabetes: fasting plasma glucose (FBG) and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1C). Results The overall prevalence of prediabetes among all participants was 20% (around 21% in males and 19% in females of all ages). There was a statistically significant association between prediabetes and obesity (central obesity), hypertension, and a family history of diabetes mellitus (FHDM). Conclusion The prediabetic state is highly prevalent among adults attending PHC in Al Bahah city (20%). It is associated with obesity (especially central), hypertension, and FHDM. We highly recommend that public health professionals implement strategies for effective screening, diagnosis, and management of prediabetes.

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INTRODUCTION: Dementia is a major cause of morbidity and dependence. The number of elderly individuals living with dementia worldwide is expected to rise up to 131 million by 2050. The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is estimated to be one of the highest prevalence regions. However, there are limited numbers of studies in the region, especially on the primary care level. This study aims to determine the prevalence of dementia and identify the most important modifiable risk factors in our sample.  Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used utilizing the non-probability convenience sampling technique. A questionnaire including demographic data, the Arabic version of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ9) to screen for depression, and the Arabic version of the eight-item Alzheimer's Dementia (AD8) to screen for dementia, were administered to participants recruited from six primary healthcare centers in Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia.  Results: This study found the prevalence of dementia to be 16% and 11% assuming cutoff points of 3 and 4, respectively, using the Arabic version of AD8, with depression and dyslipidemia as important modifiable risk factors for dementia in our sample.  Conclusion: Primary healthcare professionals should be aware of the important modifiable risk factors such as dyslipidemia and depression in the population to be able to develop strategies for early detection and slowing down the progression of dementia. Further research to identify other modifiable risk factors in the population is recommended.

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Introduction Advocating a healthy lifestyle is the cornerstone of primary healthcare physicians. As physicians are the ultimate role models for patients regarding health and well-being, we focused on physicians working in primary healthcare centers (PHCs) in Makkah because they work on the frontline of disease prevention and are considered the first point of contact for patients entering the health system. This study aimed to estimate the physical activity levels in physicians working in the PHCs of Makkah and any perceived barriers to engage in physical activity. Methodology We conducted a cross-sectional study at PHCs in Makkah from October 2021 to December 2021. We used a multistage cluster random sampling technique to select primary healthcare physicians in Makkah city. We recruited 196 physicians working in PHCs for this study. We used the short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire to measure physical activity levels, and we used the barriers to being active questionnaire to identify the barriers. Descriptive analysis was performed using frequencies. Bivariate associations between the most frequently reported barriers and sociodemographic variables were determined using the chi-square test, Student t-test, and analysis of variance via IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, version 22.0 (Armonk, NY: IBM Corp.). Results Approximately 45.9% of physicians were overweight, while 69.4% were not gym members. In the seven days prior to answering the surveys, approximately 71.9% did not report any vigorous activity, and 30.6% had performed moderate activity. The most significant barrier to being active was a lack of time (70.9%), followed by a lack of resources (69.9%). In bivariate analysis, we noted a significant negative relationship between gym membership, vigorous and moderate physical activity, and perceived barriers scores (p<0.001). Conclusion Most of the physicians in PHCs are not physically active. The main barrier to their physical activity is lack of time. There is a need to encourage them and motivate them to be physically active to model more healthy behaviors to the general population.

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Background Family medicine is a specialty that provides care for family members' physical, social, and psychological aspects regardless of age, gender, and health conditions. A family physician can manage a wide range of health conditions and prevent various diseases. However, there are scarce data on the awareness and perceptions of the Saudi population regarding family medicine; therefore, we aim to determine the awareness and perception of family medicine and family physicians in the population of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Methodology This cross-sectional study was conducted in Jeddah and randomly enrolled 519 participants aged 18 years and older through an online self-administered survey. Microsoft Excel and SPSS were employed for the data entry and analysis. Result The analysis indicated that 86.7% of the participants had heard about family physicians, 55.1% recognized the family physician's role, 61.7% had never visited one, and 57.2% were unfamiliar with the locations of family medicine clinics. Conclusion The results of this study demonstrated that the general population of Jeddah has moderate positive responses toward the role of a family physician as a vital element in the healthcare system. However, the majority of the participants had never previously visited a family physician and were unfamiliar with the locations of family medicine clinics.

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Background Jeddah has the highest international traffic and is among the most diverse cities in Saudi Arabia. The chance of importing an emerging communicable disease is significant, particularly during the religious seasons. Therefore, timely and accurate reporting of communicable diseases at primary health care centers (PHCCs) is crucial. Objectives The main objective of this study was to assess physicians' knowledge, practices, and perceptions of reporting communicable diseases at PHCCs in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Methods The study was a cross-sectional study comprising 143 physicians from all PHCCs in Jeddah from October 2017 to February 2018. An electronic questionnaire was used to collect data to assess the physicians' knowledge, practices, and perceptions related to reporting communicable diseases at PHCCs. Results A total of 106 physicians participated in the study. Although only 21.7% of the physicians had received training on reporting communicable diseases, the average knowledge score for the six commonly reported diseases was 72%. More than half (58.5%) of the physicians indicated that they had reported at least one disease. However, there was no agreement on who should be responsible for reporting communicable diseases at PHCCs. Furthermore, some obstacles were perceived that could prevent disease reporting, including physicians not knowing which diseases to report (66%), not knowing how or whom to report to (54.7%), and a limited diagnostic or laboratory capacity (52.8%). Conclusions Reporting communicable diseases at PHCCs was of adequate quality. However, some obstacles must be addressed, and regular applied training must be provided. More extensive assessments are needed to improve the reporting of communicable diseases locally and nationally.

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Introduction Jeddah is one of the busiest and multicultural cities in Saudi Arabia. It poses a higher risk of importing and spreading emerging communicable diseases because of the increased international traffic during the seasons of Hajj and Umrah. The Saudi Ministry of Health (MOH) emphasizes the role of primary health care centers (PHCCs) as the first gate of the health care system. Therefore, having an efficient and effective communicable disease surveillance system (CDSS) at the level of PHCCs is crucial to provide early warning and sustain health security. Methods This study took place at all PHCCs in Jeddah city between September 2017 and January 2018 as a descriptive cross-sectional study. Data were collected from CDSS key informants using an interview-based questionnaire to evaluate the performance of CDSS by assessing its core and support functions at PHCCs. Results The majority (93%) of PHCCs had reporting forms, and all of them had working laboratories. However, about 41% of PHCCs had the standard manual and only in the Arabic language, 12% were performing basic data analysis, and none of them had a written plan for epidemic response. Although Internet access was available at only 33% of PHCCs, other resources such as computers, printers, and personal protective equipment (PPE) were available at all PHCCs. Conclusion CDSS at PHCCs had an acceptable performance especially in functions such as reporting, confirmation, and supervision. However, other functions such as detection, registration, data analysis, epidemic preparedness, and feedback need to be strengthened. More comprehensive evaluations are required to further enhance the CDSS in Jeddah and Saudi Arabia.

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BACKGROUND AND AIM: Inadequate nutrition during fetal development resulting from poor dietary habits leads to reprogramming within fetal tissues and poses as a risk factor for non-communicable diseases in later life. This study was conducted to determine the dietary habits, diversity, and predictors among pregnant women in Lagos, Nigeria. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire to obtain data from pregnant women attending primary health care centers in Lagos, Nigeria. A multistage sampling method was used to select 350 pregnant women. A food frequency questionnaire was used to assess the dietary habits while dietary diversity was measured using non-quantifiable 24-hour recall. Data were analyzed using Epi-Info version 7.2 computer software. Chi-square and t-test were used to test for associations and P value < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. RESULTS: Only 16.7% of respondents consumed five servings of fruits and vegetables daily while the rice was the most frequent meal taken (45.4%). Meat was the commonest animal protein (20.3%) and only 30.8% had a high dietary diversity score (DDS). High DDS was significantly associated with parity of 1-3, living in a duplex or detached house, completion of at least secondary school education, and highly skilled professionals. CONCLUSION: Healthy dietary habits and high DDS were low and associated with low parity and higher socio-economic status. Nutrition intervention that encourages higher dietary diversity is needed especially among women of higher parity and lower socioeconomic status in Lagos.

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INTRODUCTION: Primary Health Care Centers (PHCC) are the first contact health facility to which patients in Saudi Arabia can go to seek help. Primary Immunodeficiency Disorders (PIDD) are of various types and severities, and they are associated with a delay in diagnosis. Early diagnosis of PIDD helps to improve the quality of life of affected children and prevent permanent consequences such as organ damage and disability. In this study, we present a protocol of a national survey that assesses awareness among PHCC physicians about diagnosing PIDD and the challenges associated with the execution of this protocol. METHODS: This cross-sectional survey used stratified multistage sampling and systematic random selection of PHCC from a list of PHCC affiliated centers under the Ministry of Health (MOH) in Saudi Arabia. The survey was conducted through phone calls to the selected physicians. Data collection started in April 2020, and it is still ongoing. CONCLUSION: In Saudi Arabia, this study will provide baseline data about PHCC physicians' levels of awareness of the diagnosis of PIDD. This will help policy-makers in designing educational courses or programs to increase awareness levels among physicians. The protocol could be used to study other health outcomes at a national level.

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In today's competitive and media-influenced health care environment, resource utilization is driven by patient outcome. A key criterion to evaluate the quality of health care services is to assess patients' satisfaction. The objectives of this study were to compare patients' satisfaction in the first and last quarters after Primary Health Care Centers' (PHCCs) integration with Ministry of Health (MOH) hospitals in Jeddah, and to identify the factors contributing toward patient's satisfaction in first and last quarters. This cross-sectional study was conducted among patients visiting PHCCs in the first and last quarters. Randomly selected participants were interviewed using a validated closed-ended questionnaire, part of which also included modified Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire (PSQ18) with its subscales and standard cutoffs. Chi-squared test and multinomial logistic regression analysis were run to find the factors associated with satisfaction. The overall satisfaction in our study participants was 66.3% in the first quarter as compared with 83% in the last quarter. The mean scores of most PSQ18 subscales in the first and last quarters after the integration showed significant difference. Multinomial logistic regression analysis of the first quarter after integration showed three to fourfold increase in satisfaction of individuals who perceive an improvement in registration counters' load, cleanliness of centers, satisfaction with the staff's behavior, and ease in referral as compared with non-satisfaction [OR 3.60 (p = 0.018); OR 4.33 (p = 0.001); OR 2.47 (p = 0.055); and OR 4.45 (p = 0.005), respectively]. However, in the last quarter those satisfied with the staff's behavior (OR 2.48, p = 0.038), and dental facilities (OR 2.74, p = 0.043) had an odds ratio of ≥2. PHCCs integration with the hospitals is an effective strategy, which not only has improved functionality but has a significant effect on patient's satisfaction. Treating patients served by PHCCs integrated with hospitals is thus recommended.

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BACKGROUND: To investigate the antimicrobial (AM) use and prescribing patterns at primary health care centers (PHCCs) in Punjab, Pakistan. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was designed according to the World Health Organization (WHO) methodology for AM usage from January, 2017 to June, 2017. Standard data collection forms designed by the WHO were used to collect the data from 32 PHCCs (16 rural healthcare centers (RHCs) and 16 basic health units (BHUs)) in Punjab province of Pakistan. PHCCs were randomly selected from 8 main cities. The study sample consisted of prescription records of 6400 outpatients (200 prescriptions records from each PHCC) and 800 inpatients (25 inpatient records from each PHCC). Data of the year 2016 were collected retrospectively by using systematic random sampling technique and analyzed through SPSS. RESULTS: Among the hospital indicators, standard treatment guidelines (STGs) regarding the infectious diseases were not available in PHCCs. Number of days during which key AMs were out of stock was 12.1 days per month (range = 3.1-19.2). Out of total PHCC medicines costs, expenditures on AMs were 26.2% (range = 17.1-39.0). In case of prescribing indicators, the average number of AMs per prescription was 1.4 (range = 1.1-1.7), percentage of prescriptions prescribed with AMs was 81.5% (range = 68.9-89.1) and duration of AM treatment on average was 5.1 days per patient (range = 3.3-6.4). Average cost of prescribed AMs per patient was 1.3 USD (range = 0.6-4.3). The PHCCs prescribed a median of 5 (range = 3-9) types of AMs, including 10 (range = 5-15) individual agents. Out of 79.3% prescriptions of outpatients prescribed with AMs, only 16.4% were properly prescribed. Out of 100% prescriptions of inpatients prescribed with AMs, 12.1% were properly prescribed. Out of all the AM prescriptions 23.6% contained penicillins, 20.1% contained cephalosporins and 19.4% contained fluoroquinolones Metronidazole (18.0%), ciprofloxacin (16.5%) and co-amoxiclav (14.3%) were most commonly prescribed AMs. CONCLUSIONS: In PHCCs, AMs were prescribed more frequently. However large proportions of these prescriptions were inappropriate. Continuous education and training of medical staff and cost effective policies could play an important role in promotion of rational use of AMs.

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Introducción: La base del Sistema Nacional de Salud en Cuba radica en los médicos de la familia que registran, evalúan los riesgos, tratan y dan seguimiento a los pacientes con enfermedades crónicas. La Diabetes Mellitus (DM) es la causa principal de enfermedad renal crónica avanzada (ERC) y estos pacientes también son dispensarizados en el país. Objetivos: Caracterizar a la ERC y la ERC-DM, según su registro en la Atención Primaria de Salud. Material y Métodos: Pacientes registrados con ERC (tasa de filtración glomerular <60 mL/min/1,73 m2) en total y de causa diabética en Cuba en 2015, la prevalencia x 1 000 habitantes, según sexo, edad, provincia y nación. Los datos primarios se obtuvieron de los registros de la Dirección Nacional de Estadísticas. Resultados: La prevalencia nacional con ERC fue 2.16 x 1 000 habitantes (incremento de 17,7 vs 2014) y la prevalencia de ERC-DM fue de 0,48 x 1 000 habitantes (incremento de 25,9 vs 2014). Existió un aumento a mayor edad y alcanzó su valor máximo en el grupo de edades de 60-64 años tanto para la ERC (11,4 x 1 000) y en la ERC-DM (2,92 x 1 000). Del total de pacientes con ERC, los diabéticos representaron en 2014, 12,7 por ciento y en 2015, 13,6 por ciento, con mayor frecuencia en el sexo femenino en ambos años 2014=12,7 por ciento y 2015=14,4 por ciento. La prevalencia de pacientes con ERC y la proporción de pacientes con ERC-DM fue menor que lo reportado por la III Encuesta Nacional de Factores de Riesgo. Conclusiones: La ERCestá sub diagnosticada en el país y la ERC-DM lo es aún en mayor grado. Se requiere la implementación de intervenciones efectivas para el diagnóstico temprano de los pacientes en la Atención Primaria de Salud(AU)

Introduction: The basis of Cuban National Health System lies in the Family Doctors who register, evaluate the risks, treat, and follow-up patients with chronic diseases. Diabetes Mellitus(DM) is the main cause of advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD), and these patients are also identified and treated all over the country. Objectives: To characterize the CKD and the CKD + DM according to their registries in the Primary Health Care Centers. Material and methods: Patients with CKD caused by diabetes (glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1,73 m2) who were registered in Cuba in the year 2015; with reported prevalence per 1 000 inhabitants; and also characterized according to sex, age, province, and nation. The primary data were taken from the Registries of the National Direction of Statistics. Results: The national prevalence of CKD was 2,16 per 1 000 inhabitants (increase of 17,7 vs 2014), and the prevalence of CKD + DM was 0,48 per 1 000 inhabitants (increase of 25,9 vs 2014). There was an increase at older age, and reached a maximum value in the group of ages from 60-64 years, both for the CKD (11,4 x 1 000) and the CKD + DM (2,92 x 1 000). Out of the total of patients with CKD, the diabetic ones represented the 12,7 percent in 2014, and the 13,6% in 2015, with a higher frequency in the female sex in both years (2014=12,7%, and 2015=14,4%). The prevalence in patients with CKD, and the proportion of patients with CKD + DM was lower than the one reported by the Third National Survey on Risk Factors. Conclusions: CKD is underdiagnosed in the country, and the same thing happens with CKD + DM, but even in a higher degree. The implementation of effective actions is required for the early diagnosis of the patients in the Primary Health Care(AU)

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INTRODUCCIÓN: la calidad de la atención como política sanitaria es considerada una estrategia para el logro de la equidad en salud. OBJETIVOS: Evaluar las características y la calidad de atención de los centros de atención primaria de la salud (CAPS). MÉTODOS: Se realizó un estudio transversal evaluativo, que involucró a 89 CAPS de las provincias de Buenos Aires y Entre Ríos, que se autoevaluaron bajo la supervisión de un equipo docente de la Facultad de Ciencias Médicas de la Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Se evaluaron 200 estándares,agrupados en las siguientes dimensiones: Conducción y gestión (CG), Recursos humanos (RH), Registros e información (RI), Actividades de organización (AO), Normas de atención (N), Actividades del equipo de salud sobre la comunidad (AC), Participación social (PS), ReferenciaContrarreferencia (RF), Planta física (PF), Recursos materiales (RM) e Insumos (I). RESULTADOS: Sólo el 18% de los CAPS cuentan con unequipo de salud básico. El nivel de calidad global fue de 58±14%. Encuanto a las dimensiones, el ranking fue: I 87%, RM 70%, AO 66%, AC63%, PF 61%, CG 55%, RF 55%, N 47%, RH 43%, RI 41%, PS 32%.CONCLUSIONES: Estos resultados permiten establecer un diagnósticode situación en cada CAPS para sustentar planes de mejora específicosy un diagnóstico integral para respaldar la definición de ejes estratégicosen las políticas sanitarias.

INTRODUCTION: the quality of care as health policy is considered a strategy to attain health equity. OBJECTIVES: Toevaluate the characteristics and care quality in primary health care centers (PHCC). METHODS: An evaluative cross-sectional study was conducted. It involved 89 PHCC from the provinces ofBuenos Aires and Entre Ríos. A self-assessment of care quality was performed under supervision of an advisory team from the Faculty of Medical Sciences of the National University of La Plata. Two hundred (200) standards were evaluated according to the following dimensions: Leadership and Management (LM), Human Resources (HR), Records and Information (RI), OrganizationActivities (OA), Norms and Guides (NG), Community Activities (CA), Social Participation (SP), Referral system (RS), Physical plant (PP), Material resources (MR) and Supplies (S). RESULTS: Only 18% of PHCC have a basic health team. The overall qualitylevel was 58±14%. In regard to the dimensions, the ranking was: S 87%, MR 70%, OA 66%, CA 63%, PP 61%, LM 55%, RS 55%, NG 47%, HR 43%, RI 41%, SP 32%. CONCLUSIONS: These results allow to perform a situational diagnosis of each PHCC to support specific improvement plans and a comprehensive diagnosis to define strategic priorities for health policies.

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