Factors affecting vaccine handling and storage practices among immunization service providers in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.
BACKGROUND
Improper handling has been identified as one of the major reasons for the decline in vaccine potency at the time of administration. Loss of potency becomes evident when immunised individuals contract the diseases the vaccines were meant to prevent.


OBJECTIVE
Assessing the factors associated with vaccine handling and storage practices.


METHODS
This was a cross-sectional study. Three-stage sampling was used to recruit 380 vaccine handlers from 273 health facilities from 11 Local Government areas in Ibadan. Data was analysed using SPSS version 16.


RESULTS
Seventy-three percent were aware of vaccine handling and storage guidelines with 68.4% having ever read such guidelines. Only 15.3% read a guideline less than 1 month prior to the study. About 65.0% had received training on vaccine management. Incorrect handling practices reported included storing injections with vaccines (13.7%) and maintaining vaccine temperature using ice blocks (7.6%). About 43.0% had good knowledge of vaccine management, while 66.1% had good vaccine management practices. Respondents who had good knowledge of vaccine handling and storage [OR=10.0, 95%CI (5.28 - 18.94), p < 0.001] and had received formal training on vaccine management [OR=5.3, 95%CI (2.50 - 11.14), p< 0.001] were more likely to have good vaccine handling and storage practices.


CONCLUSIONS
Regular training is recommended to enhance vaccine handling and storage practices.
Department of Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Faculty of Public Health, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
David M
DM
Dairo
Department of Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Faculty of Public Health, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
Oyarebu E
OE
Osizimete
D000328:Adult; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004355:Drug Stability; D004356:Drug Storage / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006296:Health Services / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011786:Quality Control; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014612:Vaccines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D055815:Young Adult
D014612:Vaccines
Ibadan; Nigeria; Vaccine handling; immunization; service providers; storage practices