Assessment of the performance for contracted transportation of nutrition products with regards to the WHO GDP guidelines. A Case of district level in Rwanda.

Abstract

Background: The unavailability of inventory for purchased essential medicines and nutrition products, in particular, wastes public funds and compromises the level of service to beneficiaries including threatening the attainment for the intended health outcome. Logistics and Transport managers should make an effort to guarantee a steady and dependable delivery of the products necessary to serve their customers.

Methods: This study employed cross-section survey design using quantitative approaches and targeted thirty (30) districts in Rwanda, health supply chain staff involved in nutrition products management were knowledgeable about the topic, to obtain feedback from the end users of transportation service and valuable insights on how contracted transportation demonstrate compliance and performance with regards to WHO Good Distribution Practices. Primary data were collected by use of questionnaires. The gathered data were analyzed by use of both descriptive and inferential statistical techniques such as Regression analysis. The findings were presented in form of percentages, frequencies, tables and graphs using SPSS.

Results: The study found out that an average total of 70.6% of respondents agreed, and 16.8% were neutral and 12.6% disagreed on statements which relates to the safety of vehicles contracted for transportation of nutrition products at the district levels in Rwanda. The study results also indicated that average total of 67.33% of respondents agreed while 18.8% were neutral and 13.8% disagreed on statements which related to the capacity of the fleet used by contracted transportation of nutrition products at District levels in Rwanda. The study results also indicated that an average total of 76.83% of respondents agreed, while 15.94% were neutral and 9.83% disagreed on statements which related to the knowledge of truck drivers used for contracted transportation of nutrition products at the district level in Rwanda. Finally, the results showed that there exists a positive correlation between Practices of Contracted Transportation of nutrition products and WHO GDP guidelines and the regression equation provided is suitable to predict the WHO GD guidelines based on the practices of contracted transportation.

Conclusion: There is a statistically significant association between practices of contracted transportation of nutrition products and compliance with WHO GDP guidelines. The study findings imply moderate level of compliance and a need for continued monitoring and improvement of contracted transport measures to assure the efficacy and integrity of nutrition commodities during distribution, especially in areas such as replacement of broken vehicles with immediate reserve vehicle and timely replacements and delivery of damages and losses, literacy levels of drivers to manage the inventory of listed nutrition products in the vehicle and improvement in Contracted transport practices to fully meet the WHO GDP guidelines. These findings can inform future interventions to improve the efficiency of contracted transport of nutrition products in Rwanda.