Increasing screening uptake to fight against chronic diseases

Developing countries and Africa has witnessed the increasing emergence of chronic diseases particularly non communicable diseases yet the health system infrastructure remains weak and mostly incapable of managing and treating such diseases when detected at clinical stage. Early detection has proved to be effective in reducing morbidity and mortality rates of chronic diseases. England, Wales, Denmark, Norway and other countries have recorded declines in cancer deaths on account of increased check up. In Africa however, check up levels are low due to demand and supply side constraints. A study on factors influencing demand for medical check up among staff of Africa Medical and Research Foundation and Kenya Medical Training College in Nairobi, Kenya found that less than half reported to have gone for check up at least once in a year prior to the study. Main motivation was knowledge of benefits of early disease detection and main hindrance was lack of knowledge of early detection of diseases which again emphasizes need for awareness.