|| ISSN(online): 2589-8698 || ISSN(print): 2589-868X || International Journal of Medical and Biomedical Studies Available Online at www.ijmbs.info NLM (National Library of Medicine ID: 101738825) Index Copernicus Value 2019: 79.34 Original Research Article Volume 5, Issue 5; May: 2021; Page No. 139-150 139 | Page EXPERIENCES AND KNOWLEDGE OF HEALTH CARE WORKERS IN CHRONIC DISEASE MANAGEMENT IN LOW AND MIDDLE INCOME COUNTRIES - NAMIBIA, AFRICA Walugembe Francis 1 , Paidamoyo Mandudzo 2 , Balasubramanian Ganesh 3 , Aridoss Santhakumar 3 1 Nelson Mandela Institute of Science and Technology, Arusha Tanzania, Ifakara Health Institute, Tanzania 2 The University of Liverpool 3 ICMR-National Institute of Epidemiology, Laboratory Division, R-127, 2 nd Main Road, TNHB, Ayapakkam, Chennai – 600 077, Tamil Nadu, India Article Info: Received 20 March 2021; Accepted 21 May 2021 DOI: https://doi.org/10.32553/ijmbs.v5i5.1895 Corresponding author: Walugembe Francis Conflict of interest: No conflict of interest. Abstract Chronic diseases burden has been increasing globally and is the leading cause of death in many LMICs. However, health systems have been primarily designed for acute conditions and must be adaptive in order to deal with the complexities that come with Chronic disease management (CDM). The CCM emphasizes the need for patient centred care with meaningful interactions between the health system and the patient. Health care workers (HCWs) are the drivers of improved CDM but are thought to be inadequately prepared for this shift. This study explored the experiences and perceived roles of HCWs in CDM in the out-patients department of Otjiwarongo Hospital, Namibia Methods: A qualitative study was done among the HCWs rendering services in the out-patients department. Data was collected using a semi-structured interview guide and audio-recording of interviews. Transcribing was done and analysis done through an inductive method of thematic analysis. Emerging codes and sub-themes were arranged into overarching themes. Results: The following were the emerging themes: 1. Understanding role as HCWs 2. Understanding patients’ expectations 3. Social support-role of family/community 4. Models of care 5. Opportunities for improvement. The results show that the HCWs lacked understanding of the needs for chronic care. As such they were not able to leverage on existent support structures to offer patient centred care in line with CCM. Conclusion: HCWs lacked an understanding of the dynamics of CDM and how it differs from acute care. Consequently, they do not have supportive relationships with their patients to keep them motivated to treatment plan. Their experiences show that the health systems have not adequately adapted to the dynamics of CDM. It is recommended that efforts be made to empower them with skills and knowledge. Through trainings to enhance their role in CDM. Keywords: CDM; primary care setting; HCW; Namibia; Africa; Introduction: Chronic non-communicable diseases are an emerging threat on the rise within low middle-income countries (LMICs) [14]. They have a huge social and economic burden on individuals, communities, nations as well as globally. Appropriate and holistic chronic disease management (CDM) is pivotal in ensuring primary prevention, early diagnosis and prevention of the onset of complications secondary to chronic diseases [19]. This study sought to understand the experiences of health care workers involved in chronic disease management in a district hospital in Namibia Chronic diseases are broadly described as lifelong, incurable and ongoing conditions which will require patient-centered, long term and continuous medical care (Centre for managing Chronic Disease, 2019). They are associated with prolonged care, frequent hospital visits, debilitating complications such as disabilities and in some instances even premature death. Globally, Diabetes Mellitus, Cancers, Cardiovascular conditions and Chronic respiratory conditions have been identified as a main chronic disease. In addition, Mental illnesses is emerging to be a chronic condition of much public health in the last decade. In 2016 72% of the deaths were attributed to these conditions only [33] The effective control of acute illnesses and curbing of the HIV pandemic has paved the way for the emergence of chronic diseases as major public health threat. People tend to live longer enough to experience chronic diseases. Globalization and urbanization have seen many adopt sedentary and unhealthy lifestyle which fuel the early onset of chronic diseases. This epidemiological transition is equally being experienced in sub-Saharan Africa Nearly 38 million deaths per year are attributed to chronic diseases [33] In 2016, two-thirds of the deaths were secondary to chronic diseases, with over 80% of these