Evaluation, Awareness, Practice and Management of Cold Chain at the Primary Health Care Centers in Coastal South India

Authors

  • S Rao Associate Professor, Department of Paediatrics, Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, Manipal University
  • S Naftar Consultant Paediatrician, St. Sebastein Hospital, Cherupuzha, Kerala
  • s Baliga Professor and HOD Department of Paediatrics, Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, Manipal University
  • B Unnikrishnana Professor and HOD Department of Community Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, Manipal University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3126/jnps.v32i1.5946

Keywords:

Cold Chain, India, Primary health center, Temperature monitoring

Abstract

Introduction: Vaccination is one of the most effective disease prevention strategies and potency of vaccines is dependent on effective management of cold chain at all levels of vaccine handling. The objective was to assess the status of cold chain at the primary health centers and to assess the knowledge and practices of medical officers at these centers regarding cold chain management.

Materials and Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted at 70 primary health centers of Dakshina Kannada District of Coastal South India. Cold chain equipment and maintenance process was noted following direct observation on uninformed visits. Data regarding the knowledge and practices of cold chain management was obtained by interviewing the medical officers using structured pretested questionnaire.

Results: Ice lined refrigerators and deep freezers were available in 69 (98.6%) and 67(95.8%) of centers. Dial thermometer was present in all the centers. Cold boxes, frozen packs and automated voltage stabilizers were available in 68(97.2%) centers. Improper vaccine storage was observed in 7 (10%) centers. Majority of medical officers had knowledge and correct practices in fields like ideal equipment, OPV administration, vaccine requiring diluents but only 47 (61.8%) medical officers had correct practice of defrosting the deep freezers.

Conclusions: The availability of equipment is near universal. Improper vaccine storage practices and poor knowledge in some fields of cold chain management may adversely affect the quality of administered vaccine. Relevant training for those handling the cold chain is recommended.

Key words: Cold Chain; India; Primary health center; Temperature monitoring   

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jnps.v32i1.5946  

J. Nepal Paediatr. Soc. Vol.32(1) 2012 19-22

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.
Abstract
2540
PDF
2064

Downloads

How to Cite

Rao, S., Naftar, S., Baliga, s, & Unnikrishnana, B. (2012). Evaluation, Awareness, Practice and Management of Cold Chain at the Primary Health Care Centers in Coastal South India. Journal of Nepal Paediatric Society, 32(1), 19–22. https://doi.org/10.3126/jnps.v32i1.5946

Issue

Vol. 32 No. 1 (2012)

Section

Original Articles

License

Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:

Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.

Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.

Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).