Assessing the effectiveness of the anti-drug theft interventions on the availability of Malaria drugs at Ntcheu District Hospital

Kachala Nkhoma, Priscilla

Assessing the effectiveness of the anti-drug theft interventions on the availability of Malaria drugs at Ntcheu District Hospital

Date

2021-03-21

Authors

Kachala Nkhoma, Priscilla

Publisher

Kamuzu University of Health Sciences

Abstract

Type of study: This will be a longitudinal and cross sectional type of study where both quantitative and qualitative methods will be used. It will be longitudinal because observations will be made for a specific period of time, that is, one year before and after the drug audit was conducted. We will conduct structured in-depth interviews of health care workers eligible for the study and community members. Problem statement: Drug theft has been a concern especially in public health facilities in Malawi. Essential drugs such as malaria have been stolen by the health workers and other members of the community. Several measures or interventions have been put in place starting from the MoHP and every health facility has their own in order to reduce or eliminate drug theft. The anti-drug theft interventions range from expensive to cheaper ones. Since the implementation of these interventions in the health facilities as well as the DTIU intervention from 2016, at Ntcheu District Hospital, seven people were convicted of drug theft and these included health workers and some chiefs [1]. Although antidrug theft interventions are implemented and some individuals have been convicted, drug theft still occurs in the health facilities despite the implementation of anti-drug theft interventions. Assessment on these interventions to determine their effectiveness have not been carried out hence the need to conduct this study. This study will also assess the availability of malaria drugs since the implementation of these interventions at the hospital. Study objectives: The purpose of study is to assess the effectiveness of anti-drug theft interventions on the availability of medicines and medical supplies at Ntcheu District Hospital. The specific objectives are:  To determine the availability of anti-malarial drugs before and after the anti-drug theft interventions at the hospital.  To explore factors that influence theft of malaria drugs at the hospital To explore the impact of malaria drug theft to the health workers and the community surrounding the hospital. Methodology This study will employ mixed method where quantitative and qualitative methods will be used. Quantitative method will be used to determine the availability of anti-malarial drugs before and after the DTIU drug audit and the implementation of the anti-drug theft interventions. Quantitative data will come from the Logistical Management Information System (LMIS), District Health Information System (DHIS2), and audit reports from the DTIU in the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP). The qualitative method will be used to explore factors that influence drug theft and anything to be done to improve availability of malaria drugs as well as the impact of malaria drug theft at the hospital as well in the community. The participants will be 20 in total, 12 Health Care Workers (HCW) and 8 community members from the catchment area of the hospital. Data will be collected by conducting In-Depth interviews and will be securely stored in a computer and a password will be used. Thematic content analysis for the interviews and time analysis for the quantitative data will be used. Quantitative data will be entered in Excel and analysed using STATA and will be presented in graphs. Consent form will be sought verbally from the study participants and ethical approval from the College of Medicine Research and Ethics Committee (COMREC). Expected Findings and Dissemination of Results In this study, we expect to determine the effectiveness of the anti-drug theft interventions in the availability of malaria drugs. Bound copies of the dissertation will be submitted for examination to College of Medicine, the Health Systems and Policy Department, School of Public Health and Family Medicine. Furthermore, the findings will be disseminated in writing as a report to the DHMT for Ntcheu District Hospital as well as the DTIU. Manuscripts of the results will be submitted to peer reviewed journals for publication. The final dissertation document will be submitted to: College of Medicine’s Office of the Dean of Postgraduate Studies and Research, College of Medicine Library, and the College of Medicine Research and Ethics Committee (COMREC).