ABSTRACT
Background: It has been observed that besides intensification of routine immunization, more strategic interventions are essential to strengthen the different aspects of immunization services like cold-chain management and monitoring/supportive supervision. The present study was considered as a part of ongoing UNICEF funded project on Supportive Supervision of Routine Immunization in Jashpur and Sarguja districts undertaken by the Department of Community Medicine, GMC Rajnandgaon with the objectives to assess the status of cold chain equipment and logistics management practices, knowledge and practice of cold chain handler (CCHs) about cold chain equipment and logistics management.Methods: A cross-sectional facility based study was conducted from August 2017 to February 2018. Among 18 cold chain points (CCPs), 9 from Jashpur and 9 from Sarguja district were considered for analysis using structured questionnaires provided by UNICEF.Results: In 83.33% CCPs cold chain technician or annual maintenance contract/computer-mediated communication service provider visit for preventive maintenance in the last 4 months. Vaccine CCHs carries out the daily and weekly planned preventive measures as per the checklist in 83.33% CCPs during our visit. In all CCPs iced line refrigerator (ILR) and deep freezer (DF) were placed as per specified guidelines. In 66.66% CCPs there was documentation of monthly review of temperature records. In all CCPs visited standard vaccine and logistics stock/issue registers were available.Conclusions: Most of the components of cold chain and logistics management practices were satisfactory while there is a gap in other components which needs to be improved by means of ongoing project of strengthening of SSRI in both districts.
ABSTRACT
Background: Immunization is an important among activity in the Public Health Services. The vaccines are highly temperature sensitive and vaccine potency once lost cannot be restored. A well-managed cold chain will increase the efficiency of immunization and reduce vaccine wastage. An assessment of cold chain system for vaccine storage was done in the all PHCs of the study area. Aims & Objectives: To evaluate the cold chain practices, with particular reference to assessing the availability of cold chain equipment, vaccine storage practices, monitoring of cold chain in primary health centres (PHCs) of Bhojpur district. Material & Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at all the cold chain points of 14 PHCs of Bhojpur district during January to May 2015. A predesigned, pretested checklist was used by the trained investigators during their visits. The information was evaluated on the basis of important components related to the cold chain points. Results: All the PHCs had a dedicated cold chain room with sufficient number of cold chain equipment. Consolidated effective vaccine management score for cold chain points of 8 (57.1%) PHCs were average (60-79%). None of the PHCs have satisfactory score (≥ 80%). Vaccine storage practice and availability of complete RI micro-plan were found satisfactory at 12 (85.7%) PHCs. Maintenance of cold chain equipment were satisfactory at 10 (71%) PHCs. But, temperature monitoring. (5) (35.7%) and waste disposal related to routine immunization 3 (21.4%) PHCs were disappointing. Conclusion: The primary health centres had average performance related to the cold chain system, which is a matter of concern warranting for the cold chain monitoring. We recommend supportive supervision as the key measures in improvement of cold chain system.