As reproductive health programs evolve under health sector reform, logistics systems must adapt to more integrated and decentralized environments. In most cases, this involves integrating family planning logistics systems into broader systems that manage a range of health products, or integrating family planning with related products such as STI drugs. In all cases, systematic data collection can help managers make better decisions about logistics to ensure that essential products reach end users. To encourage evidence-based decision making to improve product availability, the DELIVER Results Package, managed by John Snow, Inc. developed a monitoring and evaluation framework to measure key intermediate results of logistics systems and to feed the information back to decision makers at the central, regional, and service delivery levels. The framework includes a qualitative analysis of logistics system characteristics using semi-structured questionnaires at the central level, and a series of instruments to collect quantitative data on key intermediate results at all levels. The key results include the number and frequency of stockouts, adequacy of stock levels of key products, storage conditions, pipeline wastage, forecasting accuracy, adequacy of logistics data and procurement plans. In the first year of the project, assessments were or will be carried out in Bangladesh, Guatemala, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa. Results of the assessments will be presented, describing areas of strengths and weaknesses, challenges of adapting logistics systems to integrated settings, and the main innovative strategies proposed. This information should ultimately help managers improve product availability, an essential component of reproductive health programs.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, participants will be able to: 1. Describe qualitative and quantitative methodologies for measuring logistics system performance in international reproductive health programs. 2. Articulate key results from assessments carried out in six countries and how results were used to improve logistics systems 3. Describe the importance of logistics to reproductive health programs and the main challenges faced in settings of integration and decentralization.
Keywords: International Reproductive Health, Evidence Based Practice
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.