Assessment of Logistics Management Practices and Its Effect on Pharmaceutical Service Quality in Public Health Facilities of West Guji Zone, Southern Ethiopia: From the Perspective of Healthcare Practitioners

Abstract

Background: Logistic management is an important element for the delivery of quality pharmaceutical services, without which health facilities will be seriously limited in their ability to provide adequate pharmaceutical care services to the community in need. The management of pharmaceutical logistics in the field of public health has been a priority and an increasing challenge for many countries; while public health facilities Programs and patients must be managed. Public facility administrators are increasingly recognizing the importance of implementing logistics management practices in order to enhance the quality of pharmaceutical services. Objective: To assess the logistic management practices and its effect on the pharmaceutical service quality in public health facilities in the West Guji zone from the perspective of healthcare practitioners. Methods: A facility-based cross-sectional study design with a concurrent triangulation mixed method approach was used to assess the effect of logistic management on pharmaceutical service quality. The study was conducted from 1 September to 30 October 2022. A total of 25 healthcare facilities (4 hospitals and 21 health centers) were selected for the study using random sampling techniques. A structured questionnaire was utilized to gather quantitative data, which were subsequently examined for accuracy, coded, and entered into the statistical package for social sciences version 25. Descriptive analysis, including frequency and percentage calculations, as well as multiple linear regression, were conducted to analyze the data. In addition to this, in-depth interviews were conducted with sixteen key informants, who were purposively selected based on the principle of information saturation, to explore the challenges related to logistics management practices. The data collected from the interviews were analyzed using the thematic analysis technique. Results: The finding from multiple linear regression revealed that a significant positive effect was obtained for information flow management practice (β=0.258, p<.001); followed by procurement practice (β=0.192, p<.001) with pharmaceutical service quality. The multiple correlation coefficient (R = 0.731) suggests a strong and positive association between the predictor variables and the quality of pharmaceutical services in the regression model. The qualitative analysis identified the absence of a computerized system, absence of supportive training, insufficient storage space and infrastructure, frequent supply interruption from suppliers, and budget constraints as challenges for the provision of pharmaceutical services. Conclusion: The study revealed that a lack of appropriate logistics management practices emerged as a significant obstacle to enhancing the quality of pharmaceutical services offered in healthcare facilities. The main findings of the study further indicated that information flow management practice and procurement practice have more predictive power and statistically significant influence on pharmaceutical service quality than other logistics management practices