Factors affecting logistic management information system performance in public health facilities in North Eastern Uganda

Abstract

Background: The health supply chain, which is accountable for the performance of the health service delivery system, is responsible for providing a continuous supply of high-quality, safe, and effective health commodities on a timely basis. Proper documentation or information sharing via LMIS is required for effective supply chain management. LMIS plays critical roles in information sharing from the downstream to the upstream of the supply chain, ensuring the availability of key commodities to end customers (patients). A high-performing LMIS system revolves around three key parameters: data accuracy, report completeness, and reporting timeliness. A poorly performing LMIS indicates that the logistic information is relying on inaccurate data, incomplete and late reports, resulting in poor decision.

Objective: This study assessed factors affecting LMIS performance in public health facilities in Eastern and Northeastern Uganda

Method: For this study, an institutional-based cross-sectional study design was used, employing both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection. The study's target population was healthcare workers (HCWs) (60) employed by public health institutions in the supply chain, such as store managers and facility health information assistants. The district biostatisticians gave narrative qualitative data for the triangulation of quantitative deductions chosen as the key informants. Simple random sampling was used to choose the facilities, while a convenient non-probability sampling method was used to choose the healthcare providers that work there. STATA version 15 was used to analyze the data. We produced descriptive statistics and presented them as means and proportions. Chi-square test and linear regression analysis was employed for categorical and numerical variables, respectively, to ascertain the relationship between the components and LMIS performance (accuracy, completeness, and timeliness).

Results the results show that of the 62 participants interviewed, all of them do agree that LMIS tools where available in all the 30 (100%) of the facilities which was confirmed by physically verifying them. From the analysis, only 5(16.7%) of the facilities are found to have their performance highly adequate while only 1(3.3%) facility had inadequate performance. A majority 15(50%) of the facilities had adequate performance and 9(30.0%) of facilities had fair but not adequate performance. From the analysis, Bivariate association between LMIS v performance and the factors, there was a statistical significance of association between LMIS performance and the level of care at (X2, P= 0.003). We also note a statistical significance between LMIS performance and the number of years spent by the staff at that current position (X2, p= 0.001). The rest of the factors did not show any significant association with the LMIS performance.

Discussion In order to improve stock availability in public health facilities in Uganda, information aspect of supply chain should be managed accurately, which is consistent with the findings from our study, with an overall adequate LMIS performance. Introduction of new safe and green technology consistently will enhance data visibility and therefore will enhance the performance as indicated by a study in Tanzania that found that an upgrade of LMIS to electronic improved SC performance in Tanzania.