Evaluating the Impact of Digital Intervention versus WHO PEN Approach in Non-Communicable Disease Prevention and Control in Resource-Limited Settings: A Quasi-Experimental Study

NCDs present a significant health challenge globally, particularly in urban slums where various environmental factors contribute to poor health. Existing evidence on digital interventions targeting modifiable risk factors in Indian populations is limited, with few yielding positive outcomes, and insufficient data in urban slum settings. Similarly, the WHO PEN Disease Interventions for Primary Health Care in Low-Resource Settings shows evidence of improving NCD outcomes worldwide. Yet, its effectiveness and adaptability in India remain under-explored. Consequently, there is a notable gap in comparative studies evaluating the impact of digital interventions versus the WHO PEN approach in resource-limited Indian contexts.

We propose a quasi-experimental study aiming to assess the factors influencing digital interventions and the WHO PEN approach in NCD prevention and control. This study will compare the effectiveness of digital interventions against the WHO-PEN approach within resource-limited settings. The study will evaluate the feasibility and impact of both. This research proposal combines comparative analysis, tailored intervention design, and comprehensive methodology, and presents innovative strategies for addressing NCDs in resource- limited urban slums in India. The multi-site, mixed-method quasi-experimental study will collaborate with primary healthcare facilities in resource-limited settings to assess changes in NCD risk factors, treatment adherence, patient satisfaction, and healthcare utilization over one year. The study aims to evaluate the efficacy of digital interventions over WHO-PEN, highlighting their potential to improve healthcare delivery, and patient outcomes, and alleviate NCD burden in resource-constrained environments.