Effect of supportive supervision on routine immunization service delivery-a randomized post-test study in Odisha

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Services Research
• Immunization Programs

Background:

• Routine immunization is crucial for child survival but faces quality challenges.
• Supportive supervision is a proven strategy to enhance healthcare service quality.
• Govt. of Odisha and UNICEF piloted supportive supervision to improve routine immunization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the impact of supportive supervision on health worker knowledge and practices.
• To evaluate improvements in routine immunization service delivery.

Main Methods:

• A post-test only study design was used, comparing four intervention districts with two control districts.
• 170 supervisors and 170 health workers were interviewed using semi-structured schedules.
• 25 ice-lined refrigerator (ILR) points were observed in both intervention and control districts.

Main Results:

• Health workers in intervention districts showed higher knowledge scores on specific routine immunization items.
• No significant knowledge difference was found between supervisors in intervention and control groups.
• Management practices at ILR points significantly improved in intervention districts.

Conclusions:

• Supportive supervision positively influenced ILR management practices.
• Improved health worker knowledge in intervention districts suggests effective knowledge transfer.
• A pre-post study design is recommended for further insights into supportive supervision effectiveness.