Abstract:
Background: Increasing the quality of immunization services is one of the strategies to reach at
objective of EPI in Ethiopia. Infant and childhood mortality in Ethiopia are still among the
highest in the world. Each year more than one-third of a million children die from infectious
disease where the prevention and control measures are available.
Objective: Objective of this study was to assess the quality of EPI service in primary health
care facilities.
Methods: The study used facility based cross sectional study design. Both quantitative and
qualitative data was collected by using different data collection methods. Source population:
mothers who utilize EPI service in the selected health facilities and total primary health care
facilities of Wolaita zone.
Result: Majority of health facilities found to have adequate supplies and equipments but
difference was seen between health centers and health posts. About one third of health posts lack
refrigerators. One third (33.3%) of the observed health centers were found with temperature in
the fridge below or above recommended range. All health centers used AD syringes for injection
but only 3 of 36 (8.34%) observed procedures were sterile. Three hundred forty nine (86.2%) the
responded mothers were satisfied by EPI service and technical competence of the provider,
consultation, confidentiality, waiting time, explanation about immunization and waiting area
structure of EPI service were found to be important predictors of client satisfaction. Two
hundred forty eight (61.2%) of clients were knowledgeable about immunization.
Conclusion: Majority of health facilities rated as adequate in terms of equipment and supply
necessary for EPI services. But majority of health posts lack refrigerators. Below or above
normal temperature in the fridge and inappropriate arrangement of vaccines in the fridge were
found to be the key constraints concerning vaccine handling and cold chain management.
Factors related with service provider were found to be important determinants of client
satisfaction. Although it has been argued that clients do not know what the technically acceptable
level of care is, it is agreed that dissatisfaction is an indication that services delivered are lacking
in some aspects of provider related factors.
