Assessing Barriers To Maintenance Of Cold Chain (Bcg And Measles Vaccines) Among Primary Health Care Workers In Enugu Metropolis

Abstract

This study assessed the barriers to maintenance of vaccine cold chain among primary health

care workers in Enugu metropolis, Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive cross sectional

design. From a target population of 267 health workers in health centres in Enugu Metropolis, a

sample size of 176 health workers who met the inclusion criteria were selected for this study.

Data were collected using two instruments: a 41 item researcher-developed questionnaire used

to elicit information on respondents demographic data, social background and barriers to

maintenance of cold chain for BCG & Measles vaccines among primary health care workers in

Enugu Metropolis, and a 22 item National Programme on Immunization observation checklist.

The instruments were validated for face and content validity. The reliability of the instrument

was carried out using test re-test method and computed using Pearson’s Product Moment which

yielded 0.082. Data were analyzed with the aid of software, Statistical Package for Social

Science (SPSS) version 20 at significance level of 0.05. Result showed that majority of the

respondents were females 170(96%) while 7(40%) were males. The mean age of the

respondents is 37years. Majority of the respondents 154 (87.5%) accepted that government does

not provide adequate storage facilities for effective maintenance of vaccine cold chain in their

health facilities while 170(96.6%) of the respondents stated that power supply was not regular

for proper cold chain maintenance. All the respondents 176(100%) stated that there were

adequate supply of accurately calibrated thermometers for effective monitoring of the

temperature of vaccines in the cold chain. 170(96.6%) respondents agreed that government does

not provide orientation and in-service training for regular update of knowledge of health

workers involved in cold chain maintenance. 162 (92.0%) of the respondents accepted that the

do not have access to fund to run and maintain generator in their health centres. There was no

statistically significant association (p>0.05) between the health personnel factors and end user

health centre factors. The result of the checklist showed that Enugu municipal cold chain store

scored 77.2%, while the rest scored 68.1% each. The study concluded that vaccine cold chain

needs improved funding and strengthen to achieve effective immunization programme with

potent vaccines with particular reference to BCG & Measles. It is recommended that

government should ensure steady power supply, alternate cold chain power (solar), provision of well built (ventilated) cold chain store, and in-service training for staff.