Original Research

Enhancing HIV commodity reporting using real-time antiretrovirals stock status monitoring tool in an HIV-accredited regional referral hospital, Kampala, March 2024 – August 2024

Tracy Maureen Rutogire, Samuel Gidudu, Gloria Bahizi, Jackson Were, Irene B. Kyamwine, Lilian Bulage, Alex Riolexus Ario
Journal of Public Health in Africa | Vol 17, No 1 | a1666 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/jphia.v17i1.1666 | © 2026 Tracy Maureen Rutogire, Samuel Gidudu, Gloria Bahizi, Jackson Were, Irene B. Kyamwine, Lilian Bulage, Alex Riolexus Ario | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 14 September 2025 | Published: 05 August 2026

About the author(s)

Tracy Maureen Rutogire, Uganda Public Health Fellowship Program, National Institute of Public Health, Kampala, Uganda, and; Department of Public Health and Environment, Kampala Capital City Authority, Kampala, Uganda
Samuel Gidudu, Uganda Public Health Fellowship Program, National Institute of Public Health, Kampala, Uganda
Gloria Bahizi, Department of Global Health Security, Baylor Foundation Uganda, Kampala, Uganda
Jackson Were, Department of Laboratory Diagnostics, Mulago National Referral Hospital, Kampala, Uganda
Irene B. Kyamwine, Uganda Public Health Fellowship Program, National Institute of Public Health, Kampala, Uganda
Lilian Bulage, Uganda Public Health Fellowship Program, National Institute of Public Health, Kampala, Uganda
Alex Riolexus Ario, Uganda Public Health Fellowship Program, National Institute of Public Health, Kampala, Uganda

Abstract

Background: Timely reporting of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) commodity stock status is critical for effective supply chain management. However, only four (12%) of 31 HIV-accredited sites in the region submitted all weekly reports in quarter one 2024 using the Real-time Antiretrovirals (ARV) Stock Status Monitoring (RASS) tool.
Aim: To improve weekly reporting from 0% to 100% by August 2024 at a non-reporting HIV-accredited regional referral hospital using a continuous quality improvement (CQI) approach.
Setting: The project was conducted at a regional referral hospital in Kampala, Uganda, an HIV-accredited facility serving approximately 1354 HIV patients as of March 2024.
Methods: A CQI team conducted a baseline assessment in March 2024 using RASS dashboard data and identified non-reporting causes using fishbone and 5 Whys techniques. Interventions, implemented from April 2024 to July 2024, included orienting new staff and introducing WhatsApp reminders. Progress was monitored weekly using the Plan–Do–Check–Act (PDCA) cycle, with data analysed monthly to assess trends.
Results: Baseline reporting was 0% in March 2024 because of a lack of staff orientation. Orientation of two RASS users in April 2024 increased reporting to 80% by May 2024, and with WhatsApp reminders in June 2024, it reached 100% and was sustained through August 2024.
Conclusion: Staff orientation and WhatsApp reminders were associated with improved HIV commodity reporting at the study site. While these interventions appear promising, further evaluation across multiple sites and under controlled conditions is needed to confirm their effectiveness. Institutionalising such low-cost strategies may offer potential benefits for strengthening HIV commodity stock management.
Contribution: These low-cost, scalable interventions can enhance HIV commodity management across HIV-accredited sites, thus supporting 95-95-95 HIV targets.


Keywords

HIV commodity reporting; real-time ARV stock status monitoring; RASS; continuous quality improvement; CQI; staff orientation; WhatsApp reminders

Sustainable Development Goal

Goal 3: Good health and well-being

Metrics

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