Factors affecting implementation of electronic logistics management information system (eLMIS) towards availability of essential medicine in selected primary health facilities in Karagwe District, Tanzania
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Date
2025
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Mzumbe University
Abstract
Access to essential medicine is a global concern to heath of the population. In Tanzania it remains a significant challenge in strengthening primary health care services. Despite government efforts to strengthen primary health services including the implementation of electronic Logistic Management Information System (e-LIMS) to solve medicine challenges, many facilities still face shortage of essential medicine despite using a logistic system. However, there is limited data on the factors affecting its implementation. The study had three objectives: to assess the perceived availability of medicines, to identify institutional and individual factors affecting its implementation. The study adopted the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), to carry out the study. A cross-sectional design was employed, utilizing both descriptive and inferential statistics specifically bivariate (OR) and multivariate logistic regression (AOR) for institutional and individual factors affecting implementation. Data were collected using questionnaires administered to 51 respondents from dispensaries to the district hospital. Stratified random sampling was used to sample primary health care facilities involved in the study and simple random sampling was used to select individual involved in the study from the selected facilities from each level On the availability of essential medicine, the study revealed that, 61% facilities frequently experienced medicine stock-outs, 65% often borrow medicine from other facilities to manage shortages. About 75% reported insufficient medicine to meet operational needs. On the institutional factors, the findings reviled that, facilities with logistics policies, standard operating procedures, (OR = 0.05, p = 0.021), facility dedicated budgets for logistics (OR = 0.4, p = 0.052). and adequate staff incentives (OR = 0.18, p = 0.043) were less likely to experience stock-outs. In the individual factors the study found that, facilities with staff who perceived eLMIS implementation as increasing their workload were more likely to experience shortages (OR = 2.28, p = 0.026). This study concludes that, primary healthcare facilities continue to experience frequent stock outs and drug expirations despite the implementation of the e-LMIS. The study recommends to address both institutional and individual factors to optimize e-LMIS implementation, thereby improving the consistent availability of essential medicines in primary healthcare settings.
Description
A dissertation submitted in partial/fulfillment of the requirements for award of the degree of Master’s of Health Systems Management (MHSM) of Mzumbe University.
Keywords
Electronic logistic management information system, Health facilities, Integrated logistic system, Technology Acceptance Model
Citation
APA