Assessment of the Global HEARTS Initiative implementation in Morocco

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Cardiovascular Disease Prevention
• Health Systems Strengthening

Background:

• The Global HEARTS Initiative, launched in 2016, provides an evidence-based framework to enhance cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention and management within primary healthcare settings.
• The initiative aims to standardize and scale up proven interventions for CVD risk reduction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the implementation status of the Global HEARTS Initiative in Morocco.
• To identify facilitators and barriers to the effective rollout of the HEARTS program in a primary care context.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods approach was employed, including interviews with 131 patients, 39 healthcare professionals, and 9 health managers.
• Service provision was observed across 4 pilot health centers in the Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceïma Region.
• Data analysis was conducted using Jamovi 2023.

Main Results:

• Most healthcare professionals recommended quarterly counseling sessions, with a preference for sessions under 15 minutes.
• A high percentage of patients reported receiving lifestyle advice and counseling on cardiovascular medication use.
• Challenges included difficulties in obtaining essential medicines, limited HEARTS training (25.6%), technical issues with the HEARTS information system, and persistent coordination gaps.

Conclusions:

• Systemic barriers significantly hinder the effective implementation of the Global HEARTS Initiative in Morocco.
• Addressing identified barriers related to medication access, training, system functionality, and inter-level communication is essential for successful scale-up and sustainability.