Dr. Ali, Eskinder EshetuGezahagn, Sifrash2021-12-012023-11-062021-12-012023-11-062021-09http://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/123456789/29049Introduction: Gaps in managing the supply chain of anti-tuberculosis (TB) medicines result in supply interruptions posing significant health-related and economic consequences. Objective: To assess anti-TB medicines supply chain management practices and related challenges in Gurage Zone public health facilities. Methods: A concurrent/parallel explanatory mixed methods design was followed in this study. Institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted from August to September, 2020. Simple random and purposive sampling was used to select study participants. A structured questionnaire and observational check list was used to collect quantitative data and analyzed using Microsoft Excel 2013 and SPSS version 25. For the qualitative part, an interview guide was used to collect data from fifteen key informants and analyzed thematically. Results: Twenty public health facilities (HFs) in Gurage Zone providing TB management and care were included in the study. Majority of the HFs (18, 90%) were using only stock recording cards to control the inventory of anti-TB medicines. The average physical stock count corresponding to inventory recorded count for a set of anti-TB medicines was 76.6%. For a set of anti-TB medicines the average availability was 82.6% and the average stock out duration was 11.23 ± 1.38 days per a year (Min=0, Max=115). The average wastage rate for a set of first-line anti-TB medicines was 4.78%. Qualitative interviews showed the absence of computerized drug management system to manage anti-TB drugs supply chain and the lack of healt h facilit ies’ involvement in drug quantification as major barriers for the effective management of anti-TB medicines supply. Conclusions: The most current version of the national TB treatment guidelines and job aids were not available in the majorit y of public healt h facilities and it was also noted that quantificat ion of ant i-TB drugs was a major problem. In majorit y of the health facilit ies storage condit ion needs early intervent ions and inventory control system was totally manual.en-USGurage zone, medicines, practice, supply chain management, tuberculosis.Thesis