Effectiveness of the credit-line approach for support of CD4 equipment functionality in northern Uganda
African Journal of Laboratory Medicine
Field | Value | |
Title | Effectiveness of the credit-line approach for support of CD4 equipment functionality in northern Uganda | |
Creator | Kasusse, Michael L. Tumwesigye, Nazarius M. Aisu, Steven Matovu, Joseph K.B. Wanyenze, Rhoda | |
Description | Background: Improving laboratory service delivery requires a functioning logistics and supply system. Uganda’s Ministry of Health uses the credit-line approach to provide laboratory supplies including commodities for CD4 test equipment.Objectives: We examined the effectiveness of the credit-line approach in improving laboratoryservice delivery by using the functionality of CD4 test equipment as a proxy indicator.Method: A cross-sectional survey was conducted at 7 level-three health centres (HC IIIs), 18 level-four health centres (HC IVs), and 10 hospitals in 15 districts of mid-northern Uganda, including the Lango (17 facilities) and Acholi sub-regions (18 facilities), between July 2013 and August 2013. Functionality, was determined through self- and interviewer-administered questionnaires. The chi-squared test was used to assess differences in functionality by subregion, facility type, and equipment type.Results: A total of 38 CD4 test analysers were assessed. Of these, 26 (68%) were functional. In hospitals, 85% of CD4 analysers were functional, in HC IVs, 67% were functional and in HCIIIs, 43% were functional. The differences did not reach statistical significance. In the Langosub-region, 72% of analysers were functional; in the Acholi sub-region, 65% were functional. Non-functionality was mainly due to lack of reagents and cartridges, as well as low staffing levels of laboratory technicians with the skills necessary to operate the equipment.Conclusion: The credit-line approach supported the functionality of CD4 equipment in the surveyed facilities. However, there is a need to address issues of staffing and availability of reagents to enhance the functionality of CD4 equipment and improve patient care, especiallyat HC IIIs. | |
Publisher | AOSIS | |
Date | 2015-11-30 | |
Identifier | 10.4102/ajlm.v4i1.234 | |
Source | African Journal of Laboratory Medicine; Vol 4, No 1 (2015); 5 pages 2225-2010 2225-2002 | |
Language | eng | |
Relation |
The following web links (URLs) may trigger a file download or direct you to an alternative webpage to gain access to a publication file format of the published article:
https://ajlmonline.org/index.php/ajlm/article/view/234/415
https://ajlmonline.org/index.php/ajlm/article/view/234/416
https://ajlmonline.org/index.php/ajlm/article/view/234/414
https://ajlmonline.org/index.php/ajlm/article/view/234/412
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