Disparities in availability of services and prediction of the readiness of primary healthcare to manage diabetes in Tanzania.

Abstract Background The burdens of Non-communicable Diseases have overstretched health systems in developing countries. The study explores disparities in the availability of services and predicts the readiness of primary healthcare facilities to manage diabetes in Tanzania. Methods The study analyzed data from the 2014–2015 Tanzania Service Provision Assessment Survey. A total of 1142 primary healthcare facilities were included in this analysis. The Negative binomial regression models were fitted to predict each of selected independent variable that is associated with the readiness of primary healthcare to manage diabetes. Results The overall availability of services was significantly different across the type of facility and managing authority. In an adjusted model, the following were the predictors for a significant increase in readiness to manage diabetes: health center [β = 0.470], private facilities [β = 0.252], the performance of management meetings [β = 0.446], having source of fund other than government [β = 0.193,], and presence of medical doctors [β = 0.677]. Conclusion The robust primary care systems to manage diabetes could be achieved by improving the readiness of primary healthcare facilities through optimizing the availability of diagnostic tools, basic medicines, medical doctors, and early release of a government fund to publicly-owned facilities.