COLD CHAIN STATUS AND VACCINATION ACTIVITIES AT VACCINATION CENTERS IN TRIPOLI, LIBYA (2015)

Abstract

Effective immunization program requires a stable cold chain to maintain potency of vaccines from national storesthrough to delivery sites. The integrity of the cold chain is depend on not only the equipment used, but also the people involved and the practices they undertake. To assess the condition of cold chain equipment and the practicesadopted for cold chain maintenance by the vaccinators. The study was designed as cross-sectional, conducted at thevaccination centers in Tripoli. Cold chain equipments were assessed with regards to their condition, along with thepractices of vaccine providers. The study was conducted during the period from December 2014 to February 2015.The data was analyzed using SPSS program, and results were presented as frequency and percentage. All vaccination centers in Tripoli were assessed, according to World Health Organization recommendations, 95.7% of refrigerators had proper site, appropriate vaccine packing was detected in 55.3% and proper temperature was found in 42.6%of refrigerators. During vaccination session 66% of nurses used to wash their hands, most of them were handling thechild properly, while all of them checking the type, the dose of vaccine and reconstitute the vaccine as it should be.Only 10.6% of nurses did not counsel the mothers about the side effects of vaccine and did not remind them aboutthe time of the next visit, and 95.7% of the nurses handle the needles and syringes safely. Cold chain maintenanceand practice need improvement; regular staff training and supervision.