Assessment of logistic management information system practice for reproductive health products in health commodity management information system implementing facilities in gondar, northwest Ethiopia

Abstract

Back ground: Logistic management information system (LMIS) has been recognized as one of major factor for sustainable flow of Family planning (FP) and maternal health products in the logistic system. Objective: To assess the status of LMIS for reproductive health products in health commodity management information system (HCMIS) implementing public health facilities in north and south Gondar zones. Methods: A facility based cross sectional descriptive study was conducted in all HCMIS implementing public health facilities. All HCMIS graduated health facilities were included in the study. The association between selected categorical variables examined using chi-square test at P < 0.05 statically significant level. The study was conducted from March 1 to 30, 2015 in north and south Gondar zones. Result: There exists a well-designed logistics system for FP and maternal health products with LMIS trained pharmacy professionals, distributed standard LMIS formats and established forced ordering maxi- mini inventory control procedures. Majority, 17 (81%) and 12 (57.1%) of health facilities had stock outs in the past six months and at the time of visit respectively for at least one FP and maternal health products. The most frequently stock out products were magnesium sulfate 10(47.6%) and misoprostol 6(28.6%) in the past six months. 98.7% of health facilities were using stock/bin cards for managing FP and maternal products, among these 82.8 % of health facilities had updated stock/bin cards. An average 55.4% of health facilities had accurate stock/bin card balances for FP and maternal products. Fifty six percent of health facilities had complete and accurate RRF report for FP and maternal products. IPLS training and supervision have significant association (p=0.041) with bin/stock card accuracy. Conclusion: Even though there exists a well-designed LMIS of family planning and maternal health products with trained pharmacy professional, record keeping quality of stock/bin cards and LMIS reports were low. Key lifesaving maternal health products were stock out at health facilities at the day of visit and during the past six months. Based on findings, regular supervision across all health facilities with prepared standard check list and keeping accurate records and report formats are recommended.