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.
