Process Evaluation of Drug Supply Management in Public Health Centres of Gondar City, Northwest Ethiopia: A Case Study Evaluation Design

Background

Drug supply management is the cornerstone of any meaningful health service. There are, however, serious problems with pharmaceutical supply systems in many developing countries. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the process of drug supply management of health centres in Gondar town, northwest Ethiopia.

Methods

A case study evaluation design with a mixed method was employed from 1 May to 31, 2022. A total of 414 clients were interviewed. Six hundred prescriptions were reviewed, and nine KII were conducted. The quantitative data were entered into EpiData version 4.6 and exported to STATA version 14.0 for analysis. In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, variables with p < 0.05 and adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to declare factors associated with client satisfaction. The qualitative data were transcribed, translated, coded and analysed using a thematic analysis approach.

Results

The overall implementation status of the DSM programme was 66.3%, with client acceptability, availability, accommodation and compliance contributing 67.85%, 68.9%, 63.15% and 65%, respectively. Procaine and paracetamol were out of stock. Visiting the health centres twice (AOR 4.10, 95% CI: 1.61−10.45), more than twice (AOR 4.12, 95% CI: 1.64−10.34) and living in rural areas (AOR 2.32, 95% CI: 1.26−4.03) were factors associated with client acceptability.

Conclusion

The overall implementation status of the DSM programme was judged fair. Visiting health centres twice or more than twice, and living in rural areas were factors associated with patients' satisfaction. Therefore, the programme needs great improvement to enhance the implementation of the DSM programme by giving attention.