Vaccine Cold Chain Management in Public Health Facilities of Oromia Special Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia: Mixed Study
Author(s): Solomon Ahmed Mohammed*, Birhanu Demeke Workneh and Mesfin Haile kahissay
Abstract
Background: Effective vaccine cold chain management and well main- tained equipment are the keys to safe vaccine storage and delivery.
Methodology: A facility based explanatory sequential mixed method was used. The quantitative method used an institutional based cross sectional study design to assess the vaccine cold chain management in all (27) health facilities. Then, a phenomenological study design was employed among key informants and content analysis was performed using NVivo 11 plus.
Results: Proper vaccine storage was observed in 17 (63%) health centers and only 13 (48.1%) health facilities had satisfactory cold chain infrastructure, while 17 (63%) had good cold chain practices. Placement of vaccines during immunization session, checking the signs of damage, storage of food or any drugs other than vaccines, checking, availability of deep freezer, cold box and functional thermometer has a significant association with vaccine storage. Key informants stated that cold chain infrastructure, temperature monitoring, stock management and immuni- zation practice affect vaccine storage.
Conclusion: The availability of cold chain equipment in health facilities was below average and the practice of cold chain management in health facilities was average. Improving the availability of the cold chain equip-
ment and undertaking regular support and follow up are recommended.