Determinants of Efficient Health Commodity Management in Maternal Child Health: A Case of Meru County, Kenya

Abstract

Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care (EmONC) has become a priority especially in developing countries like Kenya. However, access to obstetric and neonatal care has been hindered by lack of medical commodity, equipment’s and vaccines related to Maternal Child Health (MCH), resulting to high maternal and neonatal mortality rates. The study is anchored in the health products, vaccines and technologies pillar of a health system. The study seeks to establish the determinants of an efficient health commodity management in MCH in public health facilities in Meru County. Specific objectives were to establish the influence of i) logistic management information system, ii) medical staff competency, iii) inventory management, and iv) supply chain management practices on efficient health commodity management in maternal child health in Meru County. The study adopted a cross-sectional design with quantitative methods for data collection. The study sample was 116 health care workers from all public health facilities in Meru County. Results indicated that logistic management information system was positively and significantly associated with the efficient health commodity management in MCH ( = 4.450, P=0.035). This implied that LMIS had a positive and significant association influence on the efficient management of health commodity in MCH services. Medical staff competency was positively and significantly associated with the efficient health commodity management of MCH (= 7.0489, P=0.008).The study recommends the County Health Department of Meru should i) invest in health information systems for quantification, forecasting reporting and procurement of medical goods and equipment; ii) conduct continuous professional education among health workers to ensure efficient management of healthcare commodities in the health facilities.