Occurrence of stockouts for any contraceptive or other identified reproductive health commodity at the central-level warehouse during a specified time period

Definition:

This indicator measures the number of stockouts of any contraceptive or other identified reproductive health (RH) commodity that the central-level warehouse is expected to provide, at any point, within a defined period of time (for example, the past six or 12 months). Occurrence of stockouts can be calculated for a single product or aggregated for all products carried by the central-level warehouse. It can also be measured over any time period, however one year is typically used.

Data Requirement(s):

Verification of stockouts of each contraceptive or RH commodity at the central-level warehouse (during specified amount of time).

If targeting and/or linking to inequity, stratify survey sample by location (poor/not poor) and disaggregate by location.

Data Source(s):

Site visits (physical inventories); logistics management information system (LMIS) records; program manager or facility stock manager interviews; list of products that the central-level warehouse was committed to supplying (to determine if rationing of supplies occurred)

Purpose:

This indicator measures the efficiency and preparedness of health systems. It serves as a proxy for the overall ability of country facilities and programs to meet clients’ family planning/RH needs with a full range of products and services. With better forecasting and less waste of contraceptive and RH commodities, the occurrence of stockouts decreases over time and access – measured in terms of availability – improves.

Issue(s):

In order for this indicator to be accurate, LMIS and stock records must be available and maintained regularly. It is also important to check stock records with what was “planned to be stocked,” to ensure that facilities are not rationing supplies in order to avoid stockouts. In the case of rationing, this indicator may under-represent the number of stockouts that would have occurred if the warehouse had been following its original commodity stocking plan.

Keywords:
access, commodity, family planning, management

References:

Aronovich D, Tien M, Collins E, Sommerlatte A, Allain L. 2010. Measuring Supply Chain Performance: Guide to Key Performance Indicators for Public Health Managers. Arlington, Va: USAID | DELIVER PROJECT, Task Order 1.

Filed under: Family Planning, FP, FP/RH, Indicators, Reproductive Health, RH