Ensuring the quality of HIV rapid testing in resource-poor countries using a systematic approach to training.
Am J Clin Pathol
; 134(4): 568-72, 2010 Oct.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-20855637
ABSTRACT
HIV rapid testing is a key tool in the fight against the HIV/AIDS epidemic; it enables the rapid expansion of prevention and treatment programs in resource-limited countries. Meeting the goals of these programs means that millions of people will need testing annually. Accuracy and reliability of these tests are critical to the success of these programs. Given the enormous number of rapid tests that are performed each year, even a low error rate of 0.5% applied to 100 million people will result in 500,000 erroneous results. Ensuring the quality of HIV rapid testing presents unique challenges in that testing is often performed in various settings by personnel without formal laboratory training. This article describes the development and implementation of a generic HIV rapid test training package using a systems approach in an effort to standardize training and ensure the quality of rapid tests. It also highlights achievements from Uganda, Haiti, and Botswana.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
AIDS Serodiagnosis
/
HIV Infections
/
Community Health Workers
Aspects:
Determinantes_sociais_saude
Limits:
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
Africa
/
Caribe
/
Haiti
Language:
En
Journal:
Am J Clin Pathol
Year:
2010
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country: