Abstract:
Background: Donation of different medical equipment to developing nations from developed
countries has been currently increasing these days. Donation of medical equipment to
developing countries account 80% of the total equipment in their facilities, more than 70% of the
donated medical equipment found out of service in Sub-Saharan African countries. Hence, this
study was conducted to assess the utility of donated medical equipment and associated factors in
Jimma University specialized hospital as a base line research.
Objectives: To asses utility of the donated medical equipment found in Jimma University
Specialized Hospital.
Method: An institution based descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out from March to
April First2015, an enumeration of all donated medical equipment was carried out then
determined sample size by using single population formula. Next, the medical equipment was
stratified according to their functions. The list was used as a framework for random sampling of
the equipment. However, equipment, which has a high economic value, included in the study.
Data were analyzed using SPSS for windows version 16.0, binary logistic and chi-square test
were determined, result presented using figure and table
Result: A total sample of 180 donated medical equipment was included in the study. All of the
equipment was relevant for hospital service. Regarding their purpose 81(45%) was of them used
diagnostic.76 (42.2 %) were for treatment and 23(12.8%) were for monitoring of the patient.
Concerning the utility of donated medical equipment, 81(45%) were in utilization 99(55%) were
not in utilization. Regarding availability of spare part in local market, 71.1% of equipment has
no spare part in local market due to lack of agent of manufacturer in the country, which make
available of spare parts. In line with maintainability with local expert 68.9% not maintained by
local expert because of no trained professionals in the facility. Concern accessory 39.4 of the
equipment has no accessory along equipment during equipment receiving from donors and 23%
of donated medical equipment was old.
The availability of a local expert were almost two times more likely to be utilized than equipment
not maintained by local expert (OR, 1.997 with CI of 95% 1.3, 4.2). Concerning availability of
spare parts at a local markets more likely utilized than equipment which is not spare parts
available at local market.(OR 1.1212 with 95% CI of 1.2,2.2). Regarding accessory, availability
of accessory along machine four times more likely utilized than equipment which has no
accessory during supply to the institution (OR,4.126 with 95% CI of 2.03,3.5).Receiving old
equipment from donors 26% less likely utilized than new one (OR 0.265,with CI of 95% 0.1,0.6).
Conclusion and recommendation: Lack of skilled professionals in the institution, absence of
spare parts in domestic market, old equipment receiving, no accompanied operation manual,
maintains manual and accessory along machine are the predictors for utilization of donated
medical equipment for intended purpose.Finally, the donors and receipts as well as any
intermediaries have a responsibility to make donation complete and successful.