9.D. Skills building seminar: Community based NCD prevention and control: what can we learn from research in South East Asia?
Authors:   Organised by: SUNI-SEA Consortium,   Chair persons: Jeanet Landsman (Netherlands), Jaap Koot (Netherlands)
Published: October 2021

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are increasing worldwide. Especially in low- and middle-income countries the disease burden of NCDs is quickly increasing. The recent COVID-19 pandemic exposed increased risk of complications due to comorbidity with obesity, cardio-vascular diseases, chronic lung diseases and diabetes. To reduce the burden of NCDs worldwide prevention, early detection and treatment is crucial. The research project Scaling Up NCD interventions in South East Asia (SUNI SEA) in Indonesia, Myanmar and Vietnam, aims at introducing an effective and cost-effective approach in community-based health promotion, screening and primary healthcare (PHC)-based diagnosis and treatment of NCDs. The study builds of internationally accepted interventions (e.g. WHO manuals), and on experiences from countries and regions with community- and PHC-based interventions. In the SUNI-SEA project we learned that it is necessary to customise community-based and PHC-based activities to local culture, socio-economic and health services-related factors, in order to achieve optimal effectiveness. Based on this finding, the team developed methodologies and activities for this adaption process. During this workshop these methodologies and activities will be shared and participants will be invited to mutual learning. The workshop concentrates on three elements of customisation:

Developing culturally sensitive and responsive capacity building materials and programs for health promotion and screening by community volunteers and community groups; Identifying relevant contextual factors in the communities which contribute to an enabling environment for health promotion and screening; Identifying effective and cost-effective patient journeys for identifying individuals with high risks for developing NCDs, early treatment and lifestyle interventions, which fit in local cultures and health systems.

The workshop will start with three brief introductions, after a brief explanation of the theory of change underpinning the NCD prevention and control interventions. The three elements of contextually adapted capacity building, enabling environment and patient journeys will be explained and methodologies presented. Each introduction will end with an open question for debate. The debate following the introductions will apply the fishbowl approach, whereby panellists and workshop participants can switch places to share their views and experiences. This enhances participation and mutual learning. The workshop will be closed with formulating one recommendation per element, on how to enhance adaptation of interventions to local conditions.

Key messages

A global knowledge base is developed for community-based NCD prevention and control. The SUNI-SEA project developed tools for customisation of culturally sensitive and cost-effective interventions. Stronger community organisations and better collaboration between community groups and primary healthcare facilities enhances prevention and control of hypertension and diabetes.