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Evaluation of the effect of integrated logistics system on essential medicine availability at health centres and dispensaries in Tanzania: A case of Mbeya city council
(Mzumbe University, 2017) Francis, Lucia.
In response to the problem of shortage and wastage of essential medicines, Tanzania introduced the supply chain system for reporting and requesting medicines and other medical supplies to the respective Government owned health facilities called integrated logistics system, despite ILS introduction the health facilities have continued to face the same problem. This evaluation study was intended to evaluate the effect of Integrated Logistics System activities and their contribution to essential medicines availability in the selected 11 Health Facilities in Mbeya City Council. The specific objectives were(i)To determine the stock status of essential medicine for the past 12 months and on the day of assessment.( ii)To examine the extent to which integrated logistics system activities i.e. records keeping, store management, filling report and request forms are implemented as designed (iii) To explore factors influencing the implementation of integrated logistics system(iv)To examine the contribution of integrated logistics system activities i.e. records keeping, report submission time, filling report and request forms on essential medicine availability. The study employed explorative and descriptive study design where by both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection were used. The study findings revealed that though the facilities had shortage of essential medicines (Tracer medicines) on average the availability on the day of assessment was found to be 87%, for the period 2015/2016 was 78% and for July 2016 to March 2017 was 92% which show improvement on availability compared to 2014 HMIS data which was 70% availability. The results suggested that ILS activities implementation as designed had an effect on essential medicines availability to health facilities. Its activities implementation depend on each other and if implemented as designed can contribute to the availability of essential medicines though other factors like availability of fund and medicines at MSD needs to be checked on which did not included in this study. The result found that ILS activities were not implemented as designed by the most of health facilities and this challenge had to be rectified by MoHCDGEC, Regional and district level together with their facilities.
Assessment of the quality of postnatal care services: A case study of Mbeya District Council
(Mzumbe University, 2015) Lotto, Theopista, David
Background: Postnatal care services consists of care given to the mother and her new- born for the first six weeks following birth, which enable health care providers identify post delivery problems and provide treatments promptly. This evaluation was conducted to assess the quality of postnatal care services following the unpublished report from Health Management Information System of the District which showed an increase in the number of maternal and infant death within six weeks post delivery.
Methods: The evaluation used descriptive cross sectional study design in which quantitative approach was employed to collect and analyze evaluation data. The study was also guided by Donabedian conceptual framework based on structural and process components. A total of 355 clients attending postnatal care services in five selected facilities participated in an exit interview. Observational checklist adopted from the WHO implementation guideline was used for assessing resource availability. Data was analyzed using STATA version 13.0.
Results: The findings established that health facilities that were involved in the study had basic resources to render quality postnatal care, however, there were some deficiencies in both structure and process components for provision of Post Natal Care (PNC) services. None of the five facilities had separate PNC room equipped with facilities for provision of quality services.
Discussion and policy implications: The evaluated health facilities scored below 90%, based on agreed standard as set by World Health Organization which implies PNC services offered was sub-standard. Mbalizi Hospital and Inyala Health Centre had the average score of 77%, Santilya dispensary scored the third (75%) followed by Ilembo Health Centre 70% and the last was Igoma dispensary which scored 68% which is equal to partial quality. There is a need for the management of Mbeya District Council to plan for improvement of health facility infrastructures by constructing separate rooms for PNC to be able to provide quality health services and reduce neonatal and maternal death and ensure privacy to patients and clients.
Process evaluation on the implementation of mwanzo bora nutrition program on the reduction of childhood stunting: A case of Kilolo District in Tanzania
(Mzumbe University, 2018) Chisanga, Helen, J
Nutritional status of children is an important ending measure of their health status. Thus, child care and feeding practices has been recommended as a major solution to improve under-five survivals and promote healthy growth and development. This evaluation aimed to assess the implementation process of Mwanzo Bora Nutrition Program (MBNP) in reduction of childhood stunting at Kilolo district council in Iringa, Tanzania.
The evaluation employed formative approach guided by a cross-sectional design. The evaluation enrolled a total sample size of 161 respondents. The sample included mothers of children/caregivers between 0-23 months enrolled in MBNP, community health workers and CHMT officials who were purposely and randomly selected.
Data were obtained by using questionnaires, interviews and focus group discussions. Quantitative data were entered and analyzed by using SPSS software version 20 whilst simultaneously qualitative data were analyzed manually. Data were collected by using structured questionnaire, focus group discussion and in depth interview. Descriptive statistics were carried out, Chi – test was done to determine relationship between variables by using IBM SPSS version 20.
The results revealed that 98% of mothers had knowledge about infant and young child feeding. There was no significance difference between knowledge of infant and young child feeding and practices especially on complementary food practice and breast feeding. However, significance difference was reported on the initiation of breastfeeding at (p≤0.05). Likewise, there was significance difference (p≤0.05) between knowledge of Mwanzo Bora Nutrition Program and its practices. Finally majority of the respondents (80%) had reported to have hand-washing equipment's; and among them 51% reported to have started using the equipment's after implementation of the program. The study concludes that use of hand-washing facilities improve hygienic condition and ultimately results on the reduction of childhood illness. Challenges associated with insufficient funds, shortage of human resources and poor community participation to some extent limited the implementation process
Evaluation of sanitation facilities in relation to communicable diseases in government primary schools in Mkinga District Council
(Mzumbe University, 2018) Mosha, Irene V
Background: Water, Sanitation and Hygiene related diseases remain one of the most significant child health problems worldwide. Infections such as cholera, malaria, trachoma, bilharzias and diarrhoea are on increase in our communities. The most affected ones are children. These diseases not only affect children‟s physical development but also school attendance and academic performance. The challenges of School Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (SWASH) are more pronounced in developing countries unlike the developed world. This study evaluated the Sanitation facilities in government Primary Schools in Mkinga district council.
Methodology: The study used cross sectional study design, drawing a sample of 285 respondents. Purposive sampling was used to select Key informants. Simple random sampling was used to select Ward Development Committee (WDC), Village Government members, members of school committee, and teachers and snowball sampling was used to select Pupils, Parents/community and Private sector, Local artisans and construction companies. Primary data were collected through questionnaire and direct observation. Content analysis method was used to analyse the data from in-depth interviews. Questionnaire data were analysed using SPSS computer software where descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages were deployed.
Results: A total number of 30% of Mkinga public primary school have sanitation facilities. Pupils whom practice hygiene are 30% but not all pupils are provided with protective gears. Community members agreed that the hygienity of water sources was poor are 36%.
Conclusion: The sanitation facilities are insufficient in government primary schools. Pupils practice hygiene but not all pupils are provided with protective gears. The hygiene practice among community members is very poor due to the farming activities, which are conducted near the sources of water. Recommendations: The Government should ensure that, the district level guidance and support for compliance reflects the National regulatory framework. Use appropriate guidelines where standards do not exist.
An Investigation into perceived barriers to the use of Internet resources in lesson preparation in selected universities in Tanzania
(The African Journal of Finance and Management, 2012) Mosha, Goodluck E; Kapaya, Chausiku M. O.
This study is about the perceived barriers to using internet resources in lesson preparation from four public universities in Tanzania, namely: University of Dar-es-Salaam, Sokoine, Mzumbe and Ardhi Universities. The study used a sample of 100 respondents randomly selected from the four public universities. A combination of qualitative and quantitative approaches was used in studying a phenomenon. Data were collected using documentary review, interview guides, observation and questionnaires. Quantitative data from the questionnaires were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), while qualitative data from interview guides and observation were analysed descriptively using a content analysis procedure. It was found that the most common barriers to internet resources in lesson preparations are related to poor internet connectivity, poor bandwidth, inadequate ICT facilities, outdated computer hardware and software, meagre budget allocations, inadequate library user education and bad experience in using internet resources. It is therefore recommended that the management of the four surveyed universities address the said barriers so as to improve the usage of e-resources in lesson preparations. This may be done by providing and improving ICT facilities, allocating adequate budget for e-resources, and conducting staff and user training.