Dissatisfaction with the laboratory services in conducting HIV related testing among public and private medical personnel in Tanzania
2008

Dissatisfaction with HIV Testing Laboratory Services in Tanzania

Sample size: 196 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Mfinanga SG, Kahwa A, Kimaro G, Kivuyo S, Senkoro M, Ngowi B, Mtandu R, Mutayoba B, Ngadaya E, Mashoto K

Primary Institution: Muhimbili Medical Research Centre, National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR), Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Hypothesis

What is the level of satisfaction among medical personnel regarding laboratory services for HIV testing in Tanzania?

Conclusion

About one quarter of medical personnel were dissatisfied with laboratory services, particularly in public facilities.

Supporting Evidence

  • 38.3% of personnel were dissatisfied with timely test results.
  • 24.5% were dissatisfied with correct and accurate results.
  • 22.4% were dissatisfied with clear complete results.
  • Public laboratory personnel were more dissatisfied than private laboratory personnel.

Takeaway

Many doctors and nurses in Tanzania are unhappy with how quickly and accurately lab tests for HIV are done, especially in public hospitals.

Methodology

A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 24 randomly selected health facilities in Mainland Tanzania to assess medical personnel's satisfaction with laboratory services.

Potential Biases

Potential bias due to the non-random availability of medical personnel on interview days.

Limitations

The sample size was reduced from 252 to 196 due to unavailability of respondents or missing information.

Participant Demographics

Mean age of participants was 39.7 years, with a mix of public and private laboratory personnel.

Statistical Information

P-Value

0.001

Confidence Interval

95% CI 1.8, 7.3; 95% CI 1.6, 10.8; 95% CI 1.6, 15.2

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1472-6963-8-171

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