The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
Point-of-care diagnostic tests (POCTs) are increasingly used in both developing and developed countries. They allow same day testing and treatment at remote locations where no laboratory support is available. Quality control measures, which are routinely used in laboratories, have not been widely implemented for POCTs. This aimed to assess the integrity of the entire laboratory testing process, and aims to educate and improve performance in quality of HIV rapid testing
A health facility based cross section study was conducted from April to June 2016.Randomly selected health facilities were participated in the external quality assessment. Onsite evaluation and panel test were used to collect data using structured checklists and formats. Data was entered and analyzed using SPSS version 16.
Between April to June 2016, a total of 60 health facilities (145 testing points) from governmental health facilities (hospitals and health centers) were participated in the study. Among the participated testing points 41% have no designated area, 40% have no clean water for hand washing and 51% have no national test algorithm. The average performance of testing points was varies from 89.6% to 99.1% (Laboratory 99.1%, ANC 90.4%, TB clinic 91.4% and VCT 89.6%). In a multivariable logistic regression model, didn’t follow national testing algorithm to report client test results have statistical significance.
High quality test results underpin accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment for patients. But in the study area the score of proficiency testing result and coverage of training is slightly low comparing to other findings. Therefore following national testing algorithm to report client test results, training and monitoring are critical points to improve the proficiency testing score of testing points.
Point-of-care diagnostic tests (POCTs) are increasingly used in both developing and developed countries
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines External Quality Assessment (EQA) as a system for objectively checking a laboratory’s performance using an external agency or facility
Health service utilization to human immunodeficiency (HIV) has expanded rapidly in Ethiopia. National efforts to scale up care and treatment services for individuals with HIV depend on efficient laboratory services, including HIV testing, which is the main entry point to access to care and treatment. In spite of increased access to HIV counseling and testing in developed countries, most people living with HIV in low and middle-income countries are unaware of their aerostats
While available rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) for HIV have high sensitivity and specificity when performed correctly, incorrect use can result in incorrect results, with serious consequences
The study was conducted in Tigray region which is located at a distance of 600 km northeast of Addis Ababa. Tigray is bordered by Eritre to the north, Suda to the west, the Afar Regio to the east, and the Amhara Regio to the south and southwest.
A health facility based cross section study was conducted from April to June 2016.Randomly selected health facilities were selected. Sixty hospitals and health centers (145 testing points) were participated in this study.
Proficiency test, standard checklist and on site observation were used during the specified time to asses overall quality HIV rapid test including HIV testing, HIV testing methods used, utilization of standard operating procedures (SOPs), internal and external quality control utilization.
The quality of data was checked by reviewing the questionnaire for consistency and completeness. Data were entered, cleared and analyzed using SPSS version 16.
A total of 145 testing points from governmental health facilities (hospitals and health centers) participated in the study. Among the participated testing points 41% have no designated area, 40% have no clean water for hand washing and 51% have no national test algorithm (
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Designated area for HIV testing | 86 (59) | 59 (41) |
Availability of clean water and soap for hand washing | 87 (60) | 58 (40) |
Availability of national test algorithm | 94 (64.8) | 51 (35.2) |
Sop for each HIV rapid test | 72 (49.7) | 73 (50.3) |
Kits and supplies used within their expiry date | 139 (96) | 6 (4) |
IQC practice | 65 (45) | 80 (55) |
Training for HIV rapid test | 81 (56) | 64 (44) |
Clean and organized working area | 132 (91) | 13 (9) |
Appropriate disinfectants | 110 (76) | 35 (24) |
Waste segregation | 101 (70) | 44(30) |
kits stored according to manufacturer recommendation | 137 (94.5) | 8 (5.5) |
Inventory management | 59 (41) | 86 (59) |
job aids on specimen collection | 52 (36) | 93 (64) |
Availability of sufficient kits and supplies | 122 (84) | 23 (16) |
Labeling with client identification number | 12 (89) | 16 (11) |
Availability of timer | 44 (30) | 101 (70) |
testing procedures adequately followed | 108 (74.5) | 37 (25.5) |
Following the national testing algorithm to report the client test result | 128 (88) | 17 (12) |
Most (82.8%) of the testing points score above the expected standard. From the total testing points 118 (81.4%) testing points score 100%, 6 (4.2%) testing points score 33%, 19 (13%) testing points score 67% and 2 (1.4%) testing points score 83%. The average performance of testing points was varies from 89.6% to 99.1(Laboratory 99.1%, ANC 90.4%, TB 91.4% and VCT 89.6%).
In a univariable logistic regression analysis, have no national algorithm in testing sites has high risk (odd ratio 2.86) to report false client results than having national test algorithm at P value (0.03). Using timer to report client result has reduced false HIV results six times than not using timer (P value 0.015). An adequately following test procedure during HIV testing has great advantage. Because it reduces false negative results 4 times than not adequately following test procedure (P value 0.002) (
Characteristics | Response categories | PT result | Crude OR (95% CL) | P-value | |
Meet the standard | Below the standard | ||||
Testing points | laboratory | 36(97.3) | 1(2.7) |
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ANC | 29(76.3) | 9(23.7) | 11.172(1.34, 93.37) | .026 | |
TB | 29(82.9) | 6(17.1) | 7.45(.85, 65.41) | .070 | |
VCT | 26(74.3) | 9(25.7) | 12.462(1.486, 104.51) | .020 | |
Availability of national test algorithm | Yes | 83(88.3) | 11(11.7) | Reference | |
No | 37(72.5) | 14(27.5) | 2.86(1.19,6.89) | .019 | |
Sop for each HIV rapid test | Yes | 64(88.9) | 8(11.1) | Reference | |
No | 56(76.7) | 17(23.3) | 2.43(.97,6.10) | .057 | |
Kits and supplies used within their expiry date | Yes | 115(82.7) | 24(17.3) | Reference | |
No | 5(83.3) | 1(16.7) | .96(.11,8.60) | .97 | |
IQC practice | Yes | 59(90.8) | 6(9.2) | Reference | |
No | 61(76.2) | 19(23.8) | 3.06(1.14,8.20) | .026 | |
Training for HIV rapid test | Yes | 67(82.7) | 14(17.3) | Reference | |
No | 53(82.6) | 11(17.2) | .99(.42,2.37) | .99 | |
kits stored according to manufacturer recommendation | Yes | 115(83.9) | 22(16.1) | ||
No | 5(62.5) | 3(37.5) | 3.14(.70,14.10) | .14 | |
job aids on specimen collection | Yes | 48(92.3) | 4(7.7) | Reference | |
No | 72(77.4) | 21(22.6) | 3.50(1.13,10.83) | .030 | |
Labeling with client identification number | Yes | 110(85.3) | 19(14.7) | Reference | |
No | 10(62.5) | 6(37.5) | 3.47(1.13,10.68) | .030 | |
Availability of timer | Yes | 42(95.5) | 2(4.5) | Reference | |
No | 78(77.2) | 23(22.8) | 6.17(1.39,27.55) | .017 | |
testing procedures adequately followed | Yes | 96 | 12 | Reference | |
No | 24 | 13 | 4.3(1.8,10.7) | .002 | |
Following the national testing algorithm to report the client test result | Yes | 111(86.7) | 17(13.3) | Reference | |
No | 9(52.9) | 8(47.1) | 5.80(1.97,17.10) | .001 |
characteristics | Response categories | PT result | Crude OR (95% CL) | Adjusted OR (95% CL) | P-value | |
Meet the standard | Below the standard | |||||
Testing points | laboratory | 36(97.3) | 1(2.7) | Reference | Reference | |
ANC | 29(76.3) | 9(23.7) | 11.172(1.34, 93.37) | 3.58(.30,42.22) | .311 | |
TB | 29(82.9) | 6(17.1) | 7.45(.85, 65.41) | 2.70(.20,35.05) | .454 | |
VCT | 26(74.3) | 9(25.7) | 12.46 (1.49, 104.51) | 5.71(.46,71.01) | .175 | |
Availability of national test algorithm | Yes | 83(88.3) | 11(11.7) | Reference | Reference | |
No | 37(72.5) | 14(27.5) | 2.86(1.19,6.89) | 2.06(.69,6.22) | .198 | |
IQC practice | Yes | 59(90.8) | 6(9.2) | Reference | Reference | |
No | 61(76.2) | 19(23.8) | 3.06(1.14,8.20) | 1.80(.50,6.52) | .374 | |
job aids on specimen collection | Yes | 48(92.3) | 4(7.7) | Reference | Reference | |
No | 72(77.4) | 21(22.6) | 3.50(1.13,10.83) | 1.70(.38,7.68) | .492 | |
Labeling with client identification number | Yes | 110(85.3) | 19(14.7) | Reference | Reference | |
No | 10(62.5) | 6(37.5) | 3.47(1.13,10.68) | 2.05(.48,8.74) | .332 | |
Availability of timer | Yes | 42(95.5) | 2(4.5) | Reference | Reference | |
No | 78(77.2) | 23(22.8) | 6.17(1.39,27.55) | 3.17(.45,22.18) | .246 | |
testing procedures adequately followed | Yes | 96 | 12 | Reference | Reference | |
No | 24 | 13 | 4.3(1.8,10.7) | 1.29 (.35,4.73) | .701 | |
Following the national testing algorithm to report the client test result | Yes | 111(86.7) | 17(13.3) | Reference | Reference | |
No | 9(52.9) | 8(47.1) | 5.80(1.97,17.10) | 11.57(2.46,54.35) | .002 |
In a multivariable logistic regression model, didn’t follow national testing algorithm to report client test results has statistical significance (
External quality assessments is a method used for assessing laboratory and health care professionals’ performance and allows for the evaluation of inter-laboratory proficiency tests and the identification of related problems. Accordingly, it affords grounds for corrective and preventive actions on a regular basis
This study demonstrates low (56%) coverage of HIV training in the testing points. This is different from a study conducted in south Ethiopia which was 85%
The average score of the testing points were 92.7%.
High quality test results underpin accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment for patients. But in the study area the score of PT result and coverage of training is slightly low comparing to other findings. Therefore following national testing algorithm to report client test results, training and monitoring are critical points to improve the PT score of testing points.
Ethical approval was obtained from Tigray regional health bureau and permission was obtained from each health facilities before conducting this study.
Not applicable
All data and materials are available in SPSS and excel. We can avail our raw data for all who need it.
Not applicable
GT and GG designed the study, participated in data collection, analysis, interpretation, and write-up, drafted the manuscript and critically revised the manuscript. Both authors read and approved the final manuscript.
We would like to acknowledge Tigray health bureau, Tigray health research institute and we also like to thanks to each health facility heads and laboratory staffs.