Vaccine cold chain management : knowledge and practices of healthcare workers in Mafikeng Sub-District

Abstract

Background: Cold chain management and maintenance is a continuous and cohesive process of preserving vaccines to ensure their availability and potency. Health workers' knowledge and practices are influential factors in preventing vaccine failures. Adequate knowledge and practices in the cold chain system are important to keep potency of vaccines and effectiveness of immunization. Objectives: Identify factors that contribute to current vaccine cold chain management practices, determine their impact on immunisation coverage and also to assess the awareness of the cold chain handlers regarding cold chain maintenance. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed to assess the knowledge and practices of health workers in Mafikeng Sub-District, North West Province of the republic of South Africa, regarding vaccine cold chain management in the expanded programme on immunization. Data was collected using mixed methods including questionnaire, short one on one interview and observations. Fourteen health facilities and 52 respondents were selected. Results: The study revealed significant findings about health workers theoretical knowledge and the actual practice in the field. The awareness about the basics of vaccine cold chain management was not satisfactory and the study had also observed some degree of improper, illegal and/or negligent professional behaviour. Lack of training in vaccine cold chain and EPI was one of the main factors identified in contributing to the situation. Conclusions: The improvement and subsequent success of the EPI regarding vaccine cold chain management is dependant of the implementation of effective vaccine management across the board in all levels of health care. The gaps identified in the knowledge and practices amongst health workers regarding the subject, policy makers should stress. Cold chain infrastructure and equipments/tools should be improved.