Assessments of Effectiveness of Technologies Utilizations in VIHSCM Among Selected Health Facilities in Tanzania Mainland

Abstract

AbstractIntroductionTanzania has adopted various technologies for Vaccine and Immunization Health Supply Chain Management to improve the availability, access, and utilization of immunization programs. However, questions remain regarding the effectiveness of the technologies in Vaccine and Immunization Health Supply Chain Management. This study assesses the effectiveness of technology on vaccine and immunization supply chain management in selected health facilities in Tanzania.MethodsThis study adopted an exploratory descriptive cross-sectional design. The study collected data using structured questionnaires from health facilities that adopted VIHSCM technologies in Arusha, Mwanza, and Mbeya regions, Tanzania. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and cross-tabulations with the aid of the Statistical Package of Social Sciences 23rdEdition (SPSS).ResultsThe study findings showed that 56.7% of the surveyed Health facilities had either TiMR, DHIS2, or GOTHOMIS technology used for vaccine and immunization supply chain management. The study shows that 51.4% of respondents at health facilities agreed that the adopted technologies were very effective, 45.9% were moderately effective and 2.7% said the technologies were less effective. The results asserted that 18.9 % of the adopted technologies were effective in the Management of immunization services, 37.8 % asserted that technology utilizations have Increased access to the vaccine, 2.7% said that technology utilizations assisted in monitoring vaccine temperature, 24.3% said that technologies utilizations assisted in vaccines at their respective health facilities, 5.4 % said that technologies utilizations assisted in the Maintaining the quality of Vaccines.ConclusionThis study concluded that technology plays a substantial role in improving the availability and quality of vaccines and immunization services in health facilities. Also, the study suggested that increase the use of technologies to capitalize the VIHSCM effectiveness.