Effectiveness of the credit-line approach for support of CD4 equipment functionality in northern Uganda
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Date
2015-11-30
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
African Journal of Laboratory Medicine
Abstract
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 laboratory service 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 sub-region, 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 HC IIIs, 43% were functional. The differences did not reach statistical significance. In the Lango sub-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, especially at HC IIIs.
Description
This article examined the effectiveness of the credit-line approach in improving laboratory service delivery by using the functionality of CD4 test equipment as a proxy indicator.
Keywords
Functionality - CD4, CD4 Test
Citation
Matovu et al. Effectiveness of the credit-line approach for support of CD4 equipment functionality in northern Uganda. African Journal of Laboratory Medicine, (2015) DOI:10.4102/ajlm.v4i1.234 http://www.ajlmonline.org