Publication
Title
Effect of On-Site Support on Laboratory Practice for Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Testing
Author
Abstract
Objectives: To evaluate the effect of on-site support in improving human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) rapid testing, tuberculosis (TB) sputum microscopy, and malaria microscopy among laboratory staff in a low-resource setting. Methods: This cluster randomized trial was conducted at 36 health facilities in Uganda. From April to December 2010, laboratory staff at 18 facilities participated in monthly on-site visits, and 18 served as control facilities. After intervention, 128 laboratory staff were observed performing 587 laboratory tests across three diseases: HIV rapid testing, TB sputum microscopy, and malaria microscopy. Outcomes were the proportion of laboratory procedures correctly completed for the three laboratory tests. Results: Laboratory staff in the intervention arm performed significantly better than the control arm in correctly completing laboratory procedures for all three laboratory tests, with an adjusted relative risk (95% confidence interval) of 1.18 (1.10-1.26) for HIV rapid testing, 1.29 (1.21-1.40) for TB sputum microscopy, and 1.19 (1.11-1.27) for malaria microscopy. Conclusions: On-site support significantly improved laboratory practices in conducting HIV rapid testing, TB sputum microscopy, and malaria microscopy. It could be an effective method for improving laboratory practice, without taking limited laboratory staff away from health facilities for training.
Language
English
Source (journal)
American journal of clinical pathology. - Philadelphia, Pa, 1931, currens
Publication
Philadelphia, Pa : 2016
ISSN
0002-9173 [print]
1943-7722 [online]
DOI
10.1093/AJCP/AQW138
Volume/pages
146 :4 (2016) , p. 469-477
ISI
000384875300008
Pubmed ID
27686173
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 21.11.2016
Last edited 09.10.2023
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