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. 2023 Oct;33(Spec Iss 2):135-142.
doi: 10.4314/ejhs.v33i2.7S.

Assessment of Availability of Tracer Drugs and Basic Diagnostics at Public Primary Health Care Facilities in Ethiopia During COVID-19 Pandemic

Abdurezak Umer  1 , Hussen Mohammed  1 , Bekele Yazie  1 , Dessie Abebaw Angaw  2 , Tajebew Zayede Gonete  2 , Berhanu Fikadie Endehabtu  2 , Binyam Tilahun  2 , Meskerem Jisso  3 , Alemu Tamiso  3 , Netsanet Abera Assesfa  3 , Akalewold Alemayehu  3 , Rekiku Fikre  3 , Biru Abdissa Mizana  4 , Kassahun Dessie  2 , Habtamu Sime  4 , Muluemebet Abera  4 , Mohammed Mecha  4 , Elias Ali Yesuf  4 , Kassu Ketema Gurmu  5 , Mesfin Kebede  1
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Assessment of Availability of Tracer Drugs and Basic Diagnostics at Public Primary Health Care Facilities in Ethiopia During COVID-19 Pandemic

Abdurezak Umer et al. Ethiop J Health Sci. 2023 Oct.

Abstract

Background: The emergence of COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the supply chain and stock of medicines and drugs across the globe. Tracer drugs are essential medicines that address the population's priority health problems. Thus, this study aimed to assess availability of tracer drugs and basic diagnostics at public primary health care facilities in Ethiopia.

Methods: Facility based cross-sectional study was employed in four regions and one city administration. The primary health care units (PHCUs) were purposively selected in consultation with respective regional health bureaus. Finally, 16 hospitals, 92 health centers and 344 health posts were included. This study adopted WHO's tool that was being used to rapidly assess the capacity of health facilities to maintain the provision of essential health services during the COVID-19. Descriptive analysis was done using frequency and percentage, and results were presented.

Results: The overall mean availability of tracer drugs in PHCUs was 77.6%. Only 2.8% of PHCUs have all tracer drugs. The mean availability of basic diagnostic at national level was 86.6% in PHUs except health posts where it was less. Health facilities with all basic diagnostic services was 53.7%. Of the total 344 health posts assessed, 71% were providing diagnostic testing for malaria using either laboratory equipment or rapid diagnostic test (RDT) while 43% provide urine test for the pregnancy.

Conclusion: This study shows availability of all tracer drugs in PHCUs in Ethiopia was extremely low. There was regional variation in availability of tracer drugs and basic diagnostics. It is very crucial to increase availability of tracer drugs and diagnostics. Drugs and diagnostic materials should be supplied according to the capacity and location of health facilities.

Keywords: Ethiopia; availability; basic diagnostics; primary health care units; tracer drugs.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Percentages of tracer drugs availability in PHCUs excluding health posts during COVID-19 pandemic in the selected regions, Ethiopia, 2021 (N=108)
Figure 2
Figure 2
Percentages of tracer drugs and diagnostics availability by regions in PHCUs excluding health posts during COVID-19 pandemic in the selected regions, Ethiopia, 2021 (N=108)
Figure 3
Figure 3
Percentages of diagnostics availability in PHCUs excluding health posts during COVID-19 pandemic in the selected regions, Ethiopia, 2021 (N=108)
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