CHALLENGES AND DETERMINANTS OF EFFECTIVE VACCINE COLD CHAIN MANAGEMENT IN PRIMARY HEALTH CARE FACILITIES IN JOS NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA

Abstract

This study examined the challenges and determinants of effective vaccine cold chain management in Primary Health Care (PHC) facilities in Jos North Local Government Area, Plateau State, Nigeria. Vaccine cold chain management is critical to ensuring vaccines retain potency from storage to administration, thereby supporting effective immunization and reducing vaccine-preventable diseases. Despite ongoing government and partner interventions, Primary Health Care PHC facilities in Nigeria continue to experience constraints that may affect cold chain performance, including inadequate infrastructure, unstable electricity supply, limited staff capacity, weak supervision, and insufficient funding. A descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. Data were collected from PHC health workers involved in immunization services using structured questionnaires. Descriptive statistics, such as frequencies, percentages, mean scores, and standard deviations, were used to answer the research questions, and Pearson's Product Moment Correlation was used to test the hypothesis at the 0.05 level of significance. The study focused on cold chain management practices, challenges affecting vaccine storage and distribution, and key determinants influencing effectiveness, such as equipment availability, power supply reliability, staff training, and supervision. Findings revealed that vaccine cold chain management practices in the study area were moderately effective, with most facilities having functional refrigerators, routine temperature monitoring, and proper vaccine storage systems. However, major challenges identified included frequent power outages, inadequate funding, insufficient cold chain equipment, weak maintenance culture, poor supervision, and gaps in staff training. The hypothesis testing revealed a significant positive relationship between the determinants (cold chain equipment availability, power supply reliability, staff training, and supervision) and effective vaccine cold chain management. The study concluded that improving these determinants will significantly enhance vaccine potency, reduce wastage, and strengthen immunization outcomes in the area. The study recommended improved investment in cold chain infrastructure, provision of reliable alternative power sources, continuous training of health workers, strengthened supervision, and increased funding for immunization logistics to improve vaccine cold chain performance in Primary Health Care PHC facilities.