LEADERSHIP CAPACITY AND SUSTAINABLE VACCINE COLD CHAIN MANAGEMENT IN PRIMARY HEALTH CARE FACILITIES IN KADUNA NORTH LGA

This study examined the influence of leadership capacity on sustainable vaccine cold chain management in
Primary Health Care (PHC) facilities in Kaduna North Local Government Area, Kaduna State, Nigeria.
The study was motivated by persistent challenges in vaccine storage, transportation, equipment
maintenance, supportive supervision, and logistics management despite government efforts to strengthen
routine immunization services. A descriptive survey research design was adopted. The target population
comprised healthcare personnel involved in routine immunization and vaccine cold chain management in
government-owned PHC facilities. A sample of 150 respondents was selected using a multistage sampling
technique. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire validated by experts, while reliability was
established using Cronbach’s Alpha. Data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, and standard
deviation to answer the research questions, while Simple Linear Regression was used to test the hypothesis
at the 0.05 level of significance. Findings revealed that leadership capacity had a significant influence on
sustainable vaccine cold chain management, with a grand mean of 4.37, indicating that effective leadership
enhances strategic planning, supervision, accountability, communication, equipment maintenance, and
compliance with vaccine storage guidelines. Leadership competencies identified as essential included
strategic leadership, monitoring and evaluation, decision-making, communication, financial management,
human resource management, risk management, and digital health management, with a grand mean of 4.34.
Regression analysis revealed a strong positive and statistically significant relationship between leadership
capacity and sustainable vaccine cold chain management (R = 0.782; R² = 0.611; p < 0.05). The study
concluded that strengthening leadership capacity is critical for improving vaccine preservation, reducing
vaccine wastage, and sustaining routine immunization services. It recommended continuous leadership
training, supportive supervision, improved digital logistics systems, and increased investment in cold chain
infrastructure.

Funding: This is a self-funded research

Conflict of Interest: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Ethics Approval: Not_applicable

Data Availability: Data will be provided upon reasonable request

AI-Assisted Writing: No AI tools were used in the preparation of this manuscript.