The effect of training on knowledge and practices of vaccine management among Primary Health Care (PHC) workers in static immunization facilities in Ilorin, Nigeria

Abstract

Abstract:

Vaccine management problems include high vaccinewastageratesduetoinadequateknowledgeand skills of the staff managing the scarce resources, particularly at the peripheral health facility level. T his study evaluated the effects of training on vaccine management knowledge and practices among PHC workersinIlorin,Nigeria. The study was quasi-experimental in design, conducted in three stages using multi-stage sampling technique to recruit 216 and 241 PHC workers into training intervention and control groups respectively. Pretested semi-structured questionnaire and an observational check list were used at pre-intervention and post-interventional t raining phases. Less t han h alf (98) of the study and 11 0 (45.6%) of control respondents had adequate knowledge of vaccine management before intervention, while only 48 (22.2%) of the study and 102 (42.3%) of control respondents imbibed good vaccine management practices. There was statistically significant improvement in the vaccine management knowledge 182 (84.5%) and practices 156 (73.2%) of study respondents 3 months post intervention but with significant d ecline a t 6 months post i ntervention. I n t he control group, there was no statistically significant improvement in knowledge and practices at the third andsixthmonthspostintervention. We conclude that training intervention has positive impact on vaccine management knowledge and practices a mong P HC w orkers i n t he s tudy a rea. In addition to monitoring and supportive supervision, there is need f or regular training a nd re-training of PHC workers to improve on their vaccine management knowledge and practices to ensure high standard of vaccinestorageandhandling.