Browsing by Author "CHIBI, Mpela"

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    Exploring disparities on COVID-19 Vaccine availability in selected rural and urban health facilities: A case of Chilanga and Lusaka District
    (University of Lusaka, 2025) CHIBI, Mpela
    The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on global health, causing widespread illness, death, and economic disruption. In response, the global community has rallied to develop and distribute effective vaccines to protect people from the virus. The pandemic has highlighted the critical importance of widespread vaccination to prevent the spread of the virus and protect public health, this could only be achieved with a proper health system (CDC, 2021). However, there is growing evidence of disparities in Covid-19 vaccine availability between rural and urban, posing significant challenges to achieving equitable vaccine distribution and uptake. The study was a descriptive cross sectional study design. It was conducted in six selected health facilities, three where located in Lusaka central district and the other three in Chilanga district respectively of Lusaka province. The study was conducted on 50 key health staff at selected health facilities and focal staff members at district health offices who were in charge of covid-19 vaccine campaign program. The primary data was collected using semi-structured questionnaires while secondary data was collected through desk research. The study findings indicated that majority (66%) of the hospitals had confirmed of vaccines availability at their health facility in Lusaka central and less in Chilanga district. At the time of study 50% facilities in Lusaka central had Covid19 stocks while 34% in Chilanga district facilities had covid19 and 16% had no covid19 vaccine stock. Lack of suitable transport for distribution was associated to stock out at facility level. While, reporting and requisition of Covid19 stock at Chilanga district health office was done monthly according to the demand. Long waiting time for approval, unavailable stock and lack of transport at provincial level affected the availability of covid19 vaccine in the facilities. The study shows some disparities between Lusaka urban health facilities and Chilanga rural health facilities with COVID 19 vaccine availability. COVID 19 vaccine was available in urban facilities as opposed to rural health facilities. Lusaka district was well stocked with mostly with all vaccine types, while Chilanga district had stock outs with some facilities having only 3 out of 4 vaccine types. The factors that contributed to this disparity were transport availability, storage facility, frequency of ordering and delivery waiting time.