Factors associated with nurses' utilization of the district integrated logistics self assessment tool (DILSAT) in lusaka urban health centres.

Abstract

The aim of this study is to determine the factors associated with the nurses' utilization of the District Integrated Logistics Self Assessment Tool (DILSAT) in Lusaka Urban Health Centres. Poor quantification techniques as well as failure to use the principle of First in First out (FIFO) and First Expiry First Out (FEFO) by the nurses in selected Health Centres in Lusaka DHMT has led to most drugs expiring. This has created some unforeseen drug shortages. The general objective of the study is to determine the nurses' knowledge, attitude and practice towards the utilization of DILSAT in Lusaka Urban Health Centres. Literature review has shown that the problem of logistics management exists globally, regionally as well as at national level. In line with this wide spread problem, the DELIVER Project funded by USAID has been working in countries world wide to establish and strengthen the logistics chain management. This study was conducted from August, 2008 to February, 2009. The study population was composed of the nurses in Lusaka Urban Health Centres. The study design utilized was the explorative non-interventional quantitative and qualitative type. The sample size comprised 50 nurses. A systematic sampling method was used in this study where every 5th nurse from the selected Health Centre was considered for the study. With the use of a self administered questionnaire data were collected from the targeted respondents.The most striking finding of the study is that there were low levels of knowledge on DILSAT among the nurses working at the TB corner of each health centre visited by the researcher.