Primary care provider notions on instituting community-based geriatric support in Uganda

Area of Science:

• Geriatric Medicine
• Public Health
• Health Systems Research

Background:

• Africa's aging population is rapidly increasing, necessitating economical and sustainable geriatric care models.
• Uganda faces a growing elderly population without established policies or care guidelines.
• Existing primary healthcare settings in Uganda are resource-limited, posing challenges for geriatric care provision.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore public primary healthcare provider perspectives on implementing community-based geriatric support (CBGS) in Uganda.
• To identify adaptable models for delivering geriatric care within Uganda's resource-constrained public health system.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study involving 20 key informants (primary health unit leads) from four districts in Southern Central Uganda.
• Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using conventional manifest content analysis (Hsieh and Shannon approach).

Main Results:

• Four key themes emerged: structures for CBGS, promotion strategies, stakeholder involvement, and activity leveraging.
• Existing village health teams and local leadership structures are seen as crucial for CBGS institutionalization.
• Community education, sensitization via media, and engagement of health workers, family, and neighbors are vital for promoting CBGS.

Conclusions:

• Public primary healthcare providers view community-based geriatric support (CBGS) as a feasible model for geriatric care in Uganda.
• Successful implementation requires leveraging existing structures, community engagement, and multi-stakeholder involvement.
• Policy support is essential for integrating CBGS into Uganda's public primary healthcare system.