A11120 Characterizing quality of current hypertension management in primary healthcare in a middle-income sub Saharan African country: A cross-sectional study employing direct observation of clinical consultations

Objectives: According to Botswana's 2014 national non-communicable diseases (NCD) risk factors survey, 53% of adults with known hypertension have uncontrolled disease. In addition to patient factors, understanding of the health system factors contributing to uncontrolled hypertension in Botswana-where over 95% residents live within 8 km of a health facility and primary healthcare services are free-is needed. We aimed to describe current quality of care for hypertension at outpatient primary healthcare clinics in Botswana.Methods: A cross-sectional study where purposive sample of consecutive consultations for patients with hypertension was observed, at six outpatient clinics in two districts. Consultations were assessed using a checklist, and were observed by a general practitioner knowledgeable in Botswana's recently endorsed National Primary Healthcare Guidelines aligned with World Health Organization …