Internal Physical Environment of Health Care Facilities and Services Provided for Elderly in Port Said, Egypt

Abstract

Background: The increasing number of elderly in Egypt is a challenge to health care facilities that should be age-friendly. This study described the extent to which both primary health care centers and hospitals meet the criteria of age-friendly health care in Port-Said, Egypt.

Methods: This cross-section descriptive study included all health facilities in Port-Said governorate (32 primary health care centers, 11 governmental and 8 private hospitals).In each facility data was collected about clinical and promotional health services provided to elderly. Physical environment was evaluated based on toolkit developed by the World Health Organization.

Results: All health facilities are served by public transportation and have steps at entrance and measure blood pressure. Reception counter was near entrance in 80% of facilities. Corridors were satisfactory in about 70% of facilities. In about 60% of facilities there is an age-friendly ramp at entrance and toilet near waiting area. Dedicated disabled persons parking, accessible shower and eating outlet in building were observed in many hospitals but in none of primary health care centers. Obesity assessment, blood glucose and hemoglobin estimations as well as visual assessment were reported by about 45% to 65% of facilities. Counseling about tobacco hazards, healthy eating, physical activity, sun exposure/ avoidance, oral health care, injury/fall prevention and poly-pharmacy were reported by about 40% to 69% of health facilities.

Conclusions: Health facilities especially primary health care centers of Port-Said governorate need to consider seriously their physical environment and services to be age-friendly.