Abstract
BackgroundThe cold chain must be monitored continuously in order to guarantee vaccines’ quality. From field reports and previous studies, cold chain monitoring for expanded program on immunization (EPI) is still not satisfactory in Cameroon. This study was conducted to evaluate the availability and functioning of cold chain equipment as well as knowledge.ResultsIt was a cross-sectional study involving a multistage sampling. 3urban and 5rural districts were selected randomly from the 19 health districts of the North West region. In each district all the health facilities taking part in the EPI were targeted. Data were collected using a questionnaire administered face to face to health personnel and with an observational grid to assess availability, functioning, and monitoring of cold chain equipment and power supply. The data were analyzed using the epi-info software. A total of 70 health facilities were contacted and 65(88.6%) of them included in the study. Fifty-three (81.5%) out of 65 health facilities had at least one functional vaccine refrigerator. The national guideline of EPI was not present in 21(33.9%) health facilities. Temperature chart was complete/correctly filled in 25(50.0%) of the 50(96.2%) facilities having it. About 14 (26.9%) of the health facilities record at least one abnormal temperature during the last 2 months following data collection. Seventeen (28.3%) personnel did not know the correct vaccine storage temperature.ConclusionThe availability of vaccine storage equipment for EPI is acceptable in the North West Region of Cameroon but the capacity of those in charge to properly monitor it in all health facilities is still limited. To ensure that vaccines administered in the North West Region are stored at the recommended temperature, all District Health Services should train and regularly supervise the health personnel in charge of cold chain monitoring.
Highlights
The cold chain must be monitored continuously in order to guarantee vaccines’ quality
Characteristics of participants Sixty-five from the 70 health facilities were targeted in 8 health districts included 8(12.3[5.5-22.8]%) District Health Services, 48(73.8[48.6-74.3]%) integrated health center, 5(7.7[2.5-17.0]%) sub divisional hospitals, 3(4.6 [1.0-12.9]%) district hospitals and 1 (1.5[0.0-8.3]%) regional hospital
Thirty-six (56.3 [31.4-56.7]%) of these health workers reported to have been trained on cold chain monitoring
Summary
The cold chain must be monitored continuously in order to guarantee vaccines’ quality. From field reports and previous studies, cold chain monitoring for expanded program on immunization (EPI) is still not satisfactory in Cameroon. Vaccines are sensitive biological substances that gradually lose their potency with time [3] and this loss of potency can be accelerated when stored out of the recommended range of temperature [3,4]. A proper storage of vaccines at the recommended temperature conditions is vital so that vaccine’s potency is retained up to the moment of administration [3]. Cameroon adhered to the 2006– 2015 Global Immunization Vision and Strategy (GIVS) whose one of the objectives is to ensure access to vaccines of good quality [2]
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