Inventory Management and Availability of Essential Medicines and Medical Supplies in Public Health Facilities in Uganda a Case Study of Wakiso District

Abstract

The study examined inventory management on availability of essential medicines and health supplies in public health facilities in Uganda with specific reference to Wakiso District. It was guided by three research objectives which were; the effect of stock replenishment, stock record keeping and requisitioning procedures on availability of essential medicines and health supplies in public health facilities in Uganda.

The study used a case study design with quantitative results. Data was collected using questionnaires. The target population comprised of 86 employees of the Wakiso District mainly the Clinical Officer, Nurse / Midwife, Dispenser and Nursing Assistant '

Purposive sampling was used to select study participants (Clinical Officer, Nurse / Midwife, Dispenser and Nursing Assistant) because it focuses on particular characteristics of a population that are of interest, consumes less time. The most knowledgeable and appropriate participants for the study are selected and give accurate responses.

The researcher used structured questionnaires, data was analyzed using SPSS Version 20, frequency tables, descriptive tables showing the means, and graphs were used to present data from SPSS

In data analysis frequencies, percentages and mean, correlations and regressions to show the magnitude of effect the independent variables have on the dependent variable. Study findings revealed that there is a significant statistical moderate positive relationship between stock replenishment and Availability of essential medicines and medical supplies in public health centers in Uganda (r=.306**; p<0.01). Findings also revealed that there is a positive significant Stores recordkeeping and availability of essential medicines in public health centers in Uganda (r=.538**; p<0.01). It was found out that there is a significant weak positive relationship between requisitioning procedures and availability of essential medicines in public centers in Uganda (r=.243; p>0.01).

It can therefore be concluded that there is a positive significant relationship between inventory management and availability of essential medicines in public centers in Uganda based on the findings of the study is presented according to the objectives of the study with back up of reviewed literature to make the discussion more authentic.

It was therefore recommended that attention by government should be geared towards enforcing good records management, ensuring that each facility takes record of their stock and paying attention to quantities ordered and distributed in line with availability of essential medicines in public centers in Uganda

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