Factors Affecting the Availability of Essential Medicines in Health Facilities at Bor County, South Sudan

Abstract

Background: This study investigates the availability of essential medicines in health facilities in Bor County, South Sudan, with a focus on 20 specific tracer essential medicines. These medicines are considered crucial for addressing common diseases in the population, as defined by the World Health Organization.

Methods: The research employed a mixed-method approach, combining qualitative and quantitative methods. The study targeted health workers responsible for essential medicines across 41 health facilities in Bor County. A sample of 123 health workers was selected using the Yamane formula, and seven key informant interviews were conducted using purposive sampling. Data collection methods included questionnaires, observation checklists, and key informant interviews

Results: The findings revealed that the overall availability of the 20 selected tracer essential medicines was 76% across all health facilities, with a stock status of 39.4% in the six months leading up to the study. Among these medicines, the average stock-out rate was 41.9%, with an average duration of 81.7 days over six months. Several factors contributed to these stock-outs, including inadequate and unpredictable funding, long supply lead times, poor inventory management, a lack of trained personnel, communication issues, and budget constraints.

Conclusion: In conclusion, this study highlights the need for improvements in the availability of tracer essential medicines in Bor County. The main factors contributing to stock-outs were inadequate funding, supply chain challenges, and human resource constraints. Addressing these issues is crucial to ensure the consistent availability of essential medicines in the region.