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Abstract:
Introduction. Cameroon is prone to regular electricity cuts and the choice of mixed
(electricity/gas) refrigerators for the preservation of vaccines in rural areas
to date appears to show some limits.
Solar energy refrigerators were acquired and installed in the center
region to overcome the irregularities observed in temperature control. The main
objective of this study was to evaluate how effective these refrigerators were
in vaccine conservation.
Method. We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study during which data were
collected from refrigerators installed in 16 health facilities and also from 30
healthcare providers in the vaccination and logistic services of the EPI
program of the center region.
Results: Twenty-four (80%) of the thirty refrigerators installed were of Domestic
TWC 40 SDS brand and 5 or 16.66% were of SunDanzers brand. The two types of
refrigerators maintained an average storage temperature of 5.47±0, 36 ° C (min
= 4.90 ° C, max = 6.00 ° C) which is ideal for the conservation of vaccines and
both worked consecutively for 12 months without alteration. Temperature
monitoring by personnel was ineffective as only 37.93% of the health facilities
had twice daily manual temperature records prior to data collection. We
observed that 52% of the health facilities with functional solar refrigerators
used them for mixed purposes and not for vaccine conservation only. Except for
the storage of vaccines in the appropriate compartments, no other storage rules
prescribed by the manufacturers of the refrigerators were respected. Apart from monthly cleaning of the interior
of the solar refrigerators which was noted in only 60.07% of cases, no other
indicator of preventive maintenance set by the manufacturers measured up to
20%. Only 80% of Domectic brand of refrigerators used the recommended
refrigerant fluid known as R600a, which is described as "new
generation" refrigerant. About 5% of SunDanzer brand of refrigerators
still used R134a, a refrigerant which has been prohibited for use according to
UE n°517/2014 regulations.
Conclusion: Solar refrigerators installed in health districts of the Center Region
of Cameroon allowed for effective conservation of vaccines. Effort should be
made, in their maintenance, temperature management and appropriate storage.
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