Vaccine Management Practices Among Healthcare Workers in Northwestern State, Nigeria: A Comparative Study

Abstract

Effective vaccine stock management is one of the criteria for a functional vaccine supply chain. The study evaluated vaccine management practices among healthcare workers in equipped and non-equipped public health facilities in Jigawa State, Northwest Nigeria. A cross sectional comparative study was conducted to assess vaccine management knowledge and practices amongst healthcare workers rendering routine immunization. A multistage sampling technique was used for the selection of respondents. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to obtain information from respondents. Level of significance set at p<0.05. There was a significant difference for response on vaccine vail monitors are the only temperature monitoring devices that routinely accompany vaccines throughout the entire supply chain among healthcare workers from equipped health facilities 213 (77.2%) as compared to those from non-equipped health facilities 63 (22.8%). There was a statistical difference in attitude of vaccines and cold chain management between both groups. Respondents from equipped health facilities had good practices of vaccines and cold chain management as compared to those from non-equipped health facilities. The study revealed that healthcare workers from equipped health facilities had good knowledge and positive attitude on vaccines and cold chain management as compared to their counterparts from non-equipped health facilities. Drivers of effective vaccine stock management are length of years working in health facilities, good knowledge, and practices on vaccine stock management as evident among healthcare workers from equipped health facilities. Findings from this study could be used to improve effective vaccine stock management at the state, LGA, and health facility levels. Keywords: Comparative study, Healthcare workers, Nigeria, Practices, Vaccine management.