Assessment of Contraceptive Logistics Management Information System in Addis Ababa City Administration
Creators: name: Mohammed, Hassen
Publisher: name: National Academic Digital Repository of Ethiopia
Year: 2006

description: Background: In order to attain contraceptive security in the country which is the guarantee that all people have continuous access to the quality contraceptives they need for family planning requires the presence of efficient contraceptive logistics system. The existence of a successful LMIS produces current information on quantities of contraceptives dispensed to users which enables to accurately estimate requirements for contraceptives – an essential precondition towards achieving contraceptive security. Logistics data are collected, processed, and reported through a logistics management information system (LMIS) which increases the likelihood of an adequate supply of all contraceptives for all clients. Since a contraceptive supply chain cannot function effectively without timely, accurate LMIS data, the LMIS is an essential tool for supply chain managers, clients, and policy makers. A poorly functioning LMIS can either lead to running out of contraceptives or overstock. The former leads to unwanted pregnancies and the latter can lead to wastage of contraceptives, congestion of the stores, and incurs additional cost in inventory control and disposal of the expired contraceptives. Objectives: It is to describe how well the contraceptive logistics management information system functions in the public health sector of Addis Ababa city administration and make recommendations to all parties concerned, concerning what changes should be made, and how, to improve the utilization of LMIS. It will assess and identify the nature and extent of the LMIS problems. Methods: The list of facilities run by the RHB which either distribute to other facilities or provide contraceptives to clients was made first and then stratified to sub cities, hospitals, health centers, clinics and health posts. Sample size was calculated using the formula for cross-sectional studies. Randomly selected facilities from each stratum proportionate to their size- 8 sub-city HDs, 3 hospitals, 21 health centers, 6 clinics and 28 health posts - were investigated through quantitative vi methods using structured questionnaires interviews. The principal person responsible for managing contraceptives was interviewed by well trained interviewers using pretested questionnaires in each facility. The results of the quantitative study were used for the design of the qualitative method – the focus group discussion guide. Results: There exists a well-designed contraceptive logistics system with trained personnel, distributed standard LMIS formats and established inventory control procedures through support for those activities from JSI/DELIVER. Although it was designed to operate in a pull system it was actually found operating predominantly as a push system. Majority of the facilities (56.72%) were stocked out for at least one contraceptive they manage in their facilities and the highest stock out rate was for minipills. Expired contraceptives were found in six of the sub cities and the RHB in big quantities. Only 24 facilities (35.82%) had stock cards or bin cards for at least one contraceptive managed in their facilities. Keeping quality records and reports are very low mainly due to lack of supervision and follow up from higher levels. Availability of separate stores for sub cities, training of personnels managing contraceptives and supportive supervision are among the major recommendations.