Investigating the Availability of Nutrition Management Service for Hypertensive Elderly People In Khubetsoana And Thamae Health Centers

Abstract:

Many elderly people have hypertension, and

health systems are faced with the challenge of responding to

the needs of this population. The availability of Nutrition

Management Service (NMS) in Out Patient Department (OPD)

services is one of the strategies that have the potential to

control these patients' blood pressure. The study sought to

investigate the availability of NMS for the hypertensive

outpatient elderly in Thamae Health Centre and Khubetsona

Health Centre. The study was a descriptive cross-sectional

study employing both qualitative and quantitative data

collection methods. NMS was found to be available in the

facilities, but incomplete. Of all the patients followed, 16.2%

received nutrition counseling and 9.5% received nutrition

follow-up, but none of them received nutrition screening. NMS

is available in the facilities but it is incomplete, due to many

factors which originate from the planners' failure to plan for

it.

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