An evaluation of the implementation of vitamin a supplementation protocol in health institutions in Mookgophong Municipality: a case study of Waterberg District

Abstract

Aim: The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the implementation process of the Vitamin A Supplementation Protocol in institutions in the Mookgophong sub-district of Waterberg, Limpopo Province. Design: Multi-stage sampling was used.

setting: The study was conducted in 6 clinics in Mookgophong sub-district and in one hospital in Mogalakwena which supports the clinics with resources. Subjects: There were 13 nurses, 2 pharmacists and 1 medical doctor. These health professionals served as informants. Methods: Self-reported questionnaires were used to collect data. The researcher did observations during data collection using a checklist. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data.

Results: The results indicated that Vitamin A supplements were not always available at the health institutions studied. Most of the health workers were not trained on the Vitamin A Protocol although they could describe it. The staff said they adhered to the protocol.

Conclusions: The Vitamin A Protocol was not well implemented because most staff was not trained and the capsules were not always available.

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