Cakouros, Brigid E
(2012)
The Impact of the Vaccine Supply Chain on the Socioeconomic Status of Regions in Niger.
Master's Thesis, University of Pittsburgh.
(Unpublished)
Abstract
The link between low socioeconomic status and limited access to vaccines has been established in both developed and developing nations. Access to vaccines can be hindered in two ways: the population not utilizing available services, and immunization locations not offering enough vaccine to supply the demand. In the ecological framework of an immunization program, this point is critical to understand in order to assess the current national immunization program.
This study aimed to understand if the way the vaccine supply chain (i.e., the ordered system in which vaccines travel from the manufacturer to the clinics) is currently designed could be reflecting socioeconomic conditions of Nigeriens through three main measures: vaccine availability, socioeconomic status, and vaccine coverage. Consistently ranked one of the poorest nations in the world with a high burden of disease, it is vital to understand if the immunization program in Niger is functioning to its best ability to ensure resources are being adequately utilized. Vaccine availability determined the ratio of available vaccine to the demand of the population to be vaccinated. Socioeconomic status was determined by a multi-faceted measure that encompassed the state of poverty in Niger. Vaccine coverage represented the percentage of the vaccine-eligible population that actually was vaccinated.
Results indicate that most regions have vaccine availability much higher than the vaccine coverage; therefore, the supply chain is not hindering access to the vaccines by not supplying adequate amounts of vaccines. For those that presented coverage higher than availability, evidence demonstrates that private health providers are most likely influencing the pattern and accessibility of immunization sessions. Regions did not experience lower vaccine availability based on socioeconomic status; in fact, although coverage rates were indeed lower in regions of lower socioeconomic status, these regions had the highest availability. This study demonstrates the public health significance of understanding an immunization program from all levels of supply and demand within a country in order to make the best use of the resources available.
Share
| Citation/Export: |
|
| Social Networking: |
|
Details
| Item Type: |
University of Pittsburgh ETD
|
| Status: |
Unpublished |
| Creators/Authors: |
|
| ETD Committee: |
|
| Date: |
29 June 2012 |
| Date Type: |
Completion |
| Defense Date: |
19 April 2012 |
| Approval Date: |
29 June 2012 |
| Submission Date: |
27 April 2012 |
| Access Restriction: |
No restriction; Release the ETD for access worldwide immediately. |
| Number of Pages: |
53 |
| Institution: |
University of Pittsburgh |
| Schools and Programs: |
School of Public Health > Behavioral and Community Health Sciences |
| Degree: |
MPH - Master of Public Health |
| Thesis Type: |
Master's Thesis |
| Refereed: |
Yes |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: |
vaccines, immunization, Niger, socioeconomic status |
| Date Deposited: |
29 Jun 2012 21:30 |
| Last Modified: |
15 Nov 2016 13:57 |
| URI: |
http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/12043 |
Metrics
Monthly Views for the past 3 years
Plum Analytics
Actions (login required)
 |
View Item |
![[feed]](/images/feed-icon-32x32.png){kind=icon}