BACKGROUND: Health Workforce Improvement Program and professional associations recognized the need for a formalized method of providing academic education that would improve how preceptors teach and assess student. Thus, this study aimed to assess training needs of preceptors for Medical Laboratory Science clinical practicum education programs in Ethiopia. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey design was implemented in targeted health facility throughout the country to assess academic educational needs of preceptors for Medical Laboratory clinical practicum education programs. The study participants were conveniently selected practicing health professionals who formally or informally nominated as a clinical trainer or acts as clinical trainer giving practical training to the student in the targeted practice setting. An adapted structured questionnaire modified to local context was used to conduct the survey and the perceived competency assessment used five scale of measurement (Not capable, Beginner, Advanced beginner, Competent, Proficient). The frequency was presented using tables and figures. RESULTS: A total of 304 laboratory professionals participated in this study. More than half (52.6%) of the study participants were in the age group of 21 to 30 years and 264/304 (86.8%) were male. The majority (43.0%) of study participants had 6 to 10 years of experience and 212 (68.8%) did not receive clinical teaching skills training in the past two years. Regarding applying different hands-on teaching methods, the majority 38/304(12.5%) were not capable for role play and community based training, 49/304(16.1%) reported being Beginners, 85/304 (28%) said that they are advanced beginners in the competency. In this study, most study participants 98/304(32.2%) and 130/304(42.8%) perceived that they are competent and proficient in applying laboratory practice teaching methods respectively. CONCLUSION: The average cumulative level of competency from level 1 (not capable) to level 3 (advanced beginner), we found: learning in the practical teaching area 45.4%, clinical practicum teaching quality improvement and advocacy 42.9%, student assessment methods 42.7%, communication, collaboration and partnership 40.9%. Overall competence of preceptors (proportion of preceptors reported competent) was 57%. We recommend designing the performance interventions in the form of training by including communication skills for effective preceptor ship, students assessment and feedback, teaching and instruction strategies, planning for clinical practicum learning and principles of learning and teaching in practical areas.
Learning , Preceptorship , Adult , Clinical Competence , Cross-Sectional Studies , Ethiopia , Female , Humans , Male , Preceptorship/methods , Young Adult
BackgroundRapid diagnostics are vital for curving the transmission and control of COVID-19 pandemic. Although many commercially available antigen-based rapid diagnostic tests (Ag-RDTs) for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 are recommended by the WHO, their diagnostic performance has not yet been assessed in Ethiopia. So far, the vast majority of studies assessing diagnostic accuracies of rapid antigen tests considered RT-PCR as a gold standard, which inevitably leads to bias when RT-PCR is not 100% sensitive and specific. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of Panbio COVID-19 rapid antigen test jointly together with the RT-PCR for the detection of SARS-CoV-2. MethodsA prospective cross-sectional study was done from July to September 2021 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, during the third wave of the pandemic involving two health centers and two hospitals. Diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of Panbio rapid antigen test and RT-PCR were obtained using Bayesian Latent-Class Models (BLCM). Results438 COVID-19 presumptive clients were enrolled, 239 (54.6%) were females, of whom 196 (44.7%) had a positive RT-PCR and 158 (36.1%) were Ag-RDT positive. The Ag-RDT and RT-PCR had a sensitivity (95% CrI) of 99.6 (98.4-100), 89.3 (83.2-97.6) and specificity (95% CrI) of 93.4 (82.3 - 100), 99.1 (97.5-100) respectively. Most of the study participants, 318 (72.6) exhibited COVID-19 symptoms and the most reported was cough 191 (43.6). ConclusionThe diagnostic performance of Panbio COVID-19 Ag RDT is coherent with the WHO established criteria of having a sensitivity [≥]80% for Ag-RDTs. Superior performance of the Panbio RDT was documented in samples with the lowest cycle-threshold RT-PCR values and clients with confirmed clinical symptoms. Thus, we recommend the use of the Panbio RDT for both symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals in clinical settings for screening purposes.
Investment in Africa over the past year with regards to SARS-CoV-2 genotyping has led to a massive increase in the number of sequences, exceeding 100,000 genomes generated to track the pandemic on the continent. Our results show an increase in the number of African countries able to sequence within their own borders, coupled with a decrease in sequencing turnaround time. Findings from this genomic surveillance underscores the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic but we observe repeated dissemination of SARS-CoV-2 variants within the continent. Sustained investment for genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve, particularly in the low vaccination landscape. These investments are very crucial for preparedness and response for future pathogen outbreaks. One-Sentence SummaryExpanding Africa SARS-CoV-2 sequencing capacity in a fast evolving pandemic.
BACKGROUND: Same-day sputum microcopy is recommended in areas where sputum smear microscopy external quality assessment (EQA) is effectively implemented and sturdy. In Addis Ababa, the status of EQA and drop-out of same-day sputum smear microcopy has not yet been assessed. The objective of this study was to assess the quality of same-day sputum smear microscopy and diagnostic drop-out of presumptive tuberculosis (TB) patients in health facilities (HFs) across Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. METHODS: Amulti-analysis was conducted from September 2016 to July 2017 to determine the status of external quality assessment and diagnostic drop-out of presumptive TB patients registered for same-day sputum smear microscopy. Data was coded and entered in Microsoft Excel, and subsequently transferred and analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. RESULTS: The drop-out of same-day sputum smear microscopy was 209 (6.2%). More than 33% of the specimens collected for purposes of same-day sputum smears were of poor quality. Among the selected HFs for the study: 13 (46.4%) used filter reagents prior to sputum smear staining while 75% of the selected HFs for the study used smear microscopy services interruption in a year. The sensitivity and specificity of the HFs participating in regional quality assessment scheme for the diagnosis of TB was 97.4% and 99.6%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The diagnostic drop-out of same-day sputum smear microscopy was high in Addis Ababa. Strengthening EQA, competency-based laboratory professionals training on sputum smear microscopy might reduce the reading errors in sputum smear. Awareness creation of the community on the benefits gained from completion of specimen provision for the same-day approach decreases diagnostic drop-out and enhances TB control program.
BACKGROUND@#Same-day sputum microcopy is recommended in areas where sputum smear microscopy external quality assessment (EQA) is effectively implemented and sturdy. In Addis Ababa, the status of EQA and drop-out of same-day sputum smear microcopy has not yet been assessed. The objective of this study was to assess the quality of same-day sputum smear microscopy and diagnostic drop-out of presumptive tuberculosis (TB) patients in health facilities (HFs) across Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.@*METHODS@#Amulti-analysis was conducted from September 2016 to July 2017 to determine the status of external quality assessment and diagnostic drop-out of presumptive TB patients registered for same-day sputum smear microscopy. Data was coded and entered in Microsoft Excel, and subsequently transferred and analyzed using SPSS version 20.0.@*RESULTS@#The drop-out of same-day sputum smear microscopy was 209 (6.2%). More than 33% of the specimens collected for purposes of same-day sputum smears were of poor quality. Among the selected HFs for the study: 13 (46.4%) used filter reagents prior to sputum smear staining while 75% of the selected HFs for the study used smear microscopy services interruption in a year. The sensitivity and specificity of the HFs participating in regional quality assessment scheme for the diagnosis of TB was 97.4% and 99.6%, respectively.@*CONCLUSION@#The diagnostic drop-out of same-day sputum smear microscopy was high in Addis Ababa. Strengthening EQA, competency-based laboratory professionals training on sputum smear microscopy might reduce the reading errors in sputum smear. Awareness creation of the community on the benefits gained from completion of specimen provision for the same-day approach decreases diagnostic drop-out and enhances TB control program.
BACKGROUND@#Same-day sputum microcopy is recommended in areas where sputum smear microscopy external quality assessment (EQA) is effectively implemented and sturdy. In Addis Ababa, the status of EQA and drop-out of same-day sputum smear microcopy has not yet been assessed. The objective of this study was to assess the quality of same-day sputum smear microscopy and diagnostic drop-out of presumptive tuberculosis (TB) patients in health facilities (HFs) across Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.@*METHODS@#Amulti-analysis was conducted from September 2016 to July 2017 to determine the status of external quality assessment and diagnostic drop-out of presumptive TB patients registered for same-day sputum smear microscopy. Data was coded and entered in Microsoft Excel, and subsequently transferred and analyzed using SPSS version 20.0.@*RESULTS@#The drop-out of same-day sputum smear microscopy was 209 (6.2%). More than 33% of the specimens collected for purposes of same-day sputum smears were of poor quality. Among the selected HFs for the study: 13 (46.4%) used filter reagents prior to sputum smear staining while 75% of the selected HFs for the study used smear microscopy services interruption in a year. The sensitivity and specificity of the HFs participating in regional quality assessment scheme for the diagnosis of TB was 97.4% and 99.6%, respectively.@*CONCLUSION@#The diagnostic drop-out of same-day sputum smear microscopy was high in Addis Ababa. Strengthening EQA, competency-based laboratory professionals training on sputum smear microscopy might reduce the reading errors in sputum smear. Awareness creation of the community on the benefits gained from completion of specimen provision for the same-day approach decreases diagnostic drop-out and enhances TB control program.
