Practices and Challenges of Pharmaceutical Logistics Data Quality in Public Health Facilities at Oromo Nation Zone, Amhara National Regional State, Ethiopia.
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Date
2019-12
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Addis Abeba University
Abstract
Data Quality assessment approach assesses the dimensions of data quality and the functional
components of the data management system needed to ensure data quality. The study aimed to
assess the practices of Pharmaceutical logistics data quality and their challenges in Public
Health Facilities at Oromo Nation Zone, Amhara National Regional state, Ethiopia. A
descriptive research design was used with the help of quantitative and qualitative research
approaches. Data were collected using semi-structured key informant interviews and document
observation at public health institutions, Woreda Health Office and Zonal Health Department.
Routine data quality assessment tool multi-indicator version 2015 was customized and adopted
to collect data. A total of 55 study participants from 28study sites were involved in the
assessment. Finding of this study showed that those who work in Health Posts and those who
work in logistically important service delivery units such as Laboratory and Family Planning
never received formal logistics related training. Most of logistics related practices were
implemented at lower health facility levels including Health Posts and Health Centers. But these
two facilities were equipped with few, less trained and less supervised professionals. Availability
of recording and reporting formats was good in both HPs and HCs. However, there is a shortage
of blank formats, especially, health post report and resupply form. Updating of Bin cards at both
Health Posts and Health Centers remain a major challenge. Considering logistics activities as
silly task in Health Posts and Service Delivery Units; and work load in Health Center Pharmacy
store were among the suggested reason for poor Bin Card update. Work load, training gaps,
high employee turnover and budget constraint were among the main challenges reported to
affect Pharmaceutical logistics data quality practices. Practices aimed to ensure Pharmaceutical
logistics data quality at public health institutions vary in type and in degree. Capabilities needed
for ensuring quality pharmaceutical logistics data were better at higher but poor at lower health
institution level. The availability of essential pharmaceutical logistics tools are encouraging, but,
proper use of Bin Cards which is an important data source for report, is still a problem at both
Health Posts and Health Centers. Logistics related pre as well as post service trainings should
be facilitated for pharmacy professionals, health extension workers and for those who are
expected to work in logistically important Service Delivery Units such as Laboratory, Family
Planning and ART departments along with increasing the number of graduates from colleges
and universities.
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Keywords
Data, quality, pharmaceutical, logistics, health and challenge.