Inventory Management Practice and the Performance of the Unit of Vaccines and Immunizations in the Minstry Health, Kenya

Abstract

The performance of the public health sector in Kenya has been a major concern to the Kenyan people. Good health is a prerequisite for enhanced economic growth and poverty reduction and a precursor to the realization of Kenya Vision 2030’s social pillar goal. The country is confronting numerous gaps in health outcomes like high infant mortality rate caused by neonatal problems. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the influence of inventory management practice and the performance of the unit of vaccines and immunizations in the Ministry of Health, Kenya. The study adopted mixed research design using both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The target population of the study was 244 from the Unit of Vaccine and Immunizations (UVIS) headquarter KEMSA depot and warehouse staff, Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, and Busia counties. The study used random sampling to pick a sample size of 74 respondents. Data was collected using questionnaire. Descriptive statistics was used aided by Statistical Packages for Social Sciences version 24 to compute percentages of respondents’ answers. Inferential statistics multiple regression analysis was applied to examine the relationship between the research variables. The results showed that there is strong positive correlation between inventory management and the performance of the unit of vaccines and immunizations. Hence, buffer stock, optimal inventory level, collaborations with key stakeholders, continuously monitor inventory levels, stocks transfer/replenishment orders and procurement plan if adopted can improve the performance of the unit of vaccines and immunizations.