Rahim Buledi1, Zahid Ahmad Butt2, Jamil Ahmed3, Aamir Akram Alizai4. 1. Provincial Health Department, Government of Baluchistan, Pakistan. 2. Department of Public Health Pakistan Institute of Ophthalmology Al Shifa Trust Eye Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan. 3. Department of Family and Community Medicine College of Medicine and Medical Sciences Arabian Gulf University, Bahrain. 4. Country Nutrition Coordinator, Islamabad, Pakistan MERLIN (Medical Emergency Relief International).
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine the status of cold chain and knowledge and practices of health workers about cold chain maintenance in routine immunisation health centres. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Quetta, Pakistan, from May to July 2012, and comprised health facilities in the district. We interviewed the staff responsible for vaccine storage and cold chain maintenance and used a checklist to assess cold chain maintenance of routine expanded programme on immunisation vaccines. SPSS 16 was used for data analysis.. RESULTS: Of the 42 health facilities, staff of 13(30%) wrongly indicated that measles and Bacillus Calmette-Guérin were cold sensitive vaccines. Temperature of the ice-lined refrigerators was not maintained twice daily in 18(43%) centres. There were no voltage stabilisers and standby power generators in 31(74%) and 38(90%) centres, respectively. Vaccine arrangement was found to be inappropriate in ice-lined refrigerators of 38(90%) centres and ice packs were incorrectly used in carriers in 22(52%) centres. Vaccine stock was not charted in 39(93%) centres. Moreover, 4(10%) facilities did not have dedicated expanded programme on immunisation rooms whereas about 5(12%) and 33(79%) had no vaccinator and separate expanded programme on immunisation incharge appointed. Also, 32(76%) centres did not have a female vaccinator appointed. CONCLUSIONS: Although the majority of health staff had adequate knowledge, there were weaknesses in practice of maintaining the cold chain.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the status of cold chain and knowledge and practices of health workers about cold chain maintenance in routine immunisation health centres. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Quetta, Pakistan, from May to July 2012, and comprised health facilities in the district. We interviewed the staff responsible for vaccine storage and cold chain maintenance and used a checklist to assess cold chain maintenance of routine expanded programme on immunisation vaccines. SPSS 16 was used for data analysis.. RESULTS: Of the 42 health facilities, staff of 13(30%) wrongly indicated that measles and Bacillus Calmette-Guérin were cold sensitive vaccines. Temperature of the ice-lined refrigerators was not maintained twice daily in 18(43%) centres. There were no voltage stabilisers and standby power generators in 31(74%) and 38(90%) centres, respectively. Vaccine arrangement was found to be inappropriate in ice-lined refrigerators of 38(90%) centres and ice packs were incorrectly used in carriers in 22(52%) centres. Vaccine stock was not charted in 39(93%) centres. Moreover, 4(10%) facilities did not have dedicated expanded programme on immunisation rooms whereas about 5(12%) and 33(79%) had no vaccinator and separate expanded programme on immunisation incharge appointed. Also, 32(76%) centres did not have a female vaccinator appointed. CONCLUSIONS: Although the majority of health staff had adequate knowledge, there were weaknesses in practice of maintaining the cold chain.
Entities:
Keywords:
Immunisation children, Cold chain maintenance, Expanded programme on immunisation.