Assessment of Laboratory Service Interruption and its Associated Factors in Public Hospitals, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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Date
2020-11
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Addis Abeba University
Abstract
Background: Medical laboratory service is very essential for sustainable and reliable patient
diagnosis and treatment. Interruption is a global problem and much higher in resource limited
settings. However, there is no adequate evidence on the magnitude and contributed factors.
Thus, this study aimed to assess the laboratory service interruption and its associated factors
in public hospitals found in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Methods: Facility based cross sectional study design was conducted in public hospitals found
in Addis Ababa using qualitative and quantitative data from April-June/ 2020in Ethiopia.
Standardized check list was developed to assess level of interruption and also structured
dichotomous questioners’ were used for related factors. Data was entered and analyzed using
SPSS version 23. Binary and multiple logistic regression analysis were used to explanatory
factor that affect the outcome variable.
Result: Totally 190 laboratory professionals were participated with a response rate of 95.5%.
In public hospitals averagely 17(23%) tests were interrupted for 76(84%) days. In specialized
and General hospitals averagely 13(17%) and 19(28%) tests were interrupted, respectively. In
this study serology and hematology tests accounts the highest level of interruption which is
5(6.9%) and 4(5.5%) respectively. While parasitological, urinalysis and body fluid analysis
were consistently available. Absence of laboratory annual plan at [AOR=3.028, pvalue=0.044,
95%Cl
(1.030-8.903],
inappropriate
equipment
maintenance
at [AOR=9.350, pvalue=0.003,
95%Cl
(2.102-41.596],
and
shortage
of
reagents
and
supplies
at
[AOR=3.845,
pvalue=0.049,
95%Cl (1.008-14.663] were the major factors that affect laboratory service
interruption.
Conclusion: Even though sustainable laboratory service is important in the health care
service, most public hospital laboratories found in Addis Ababa did not provide continuous
diagnostic service for all expected tests. Therefore, to improve service interruption, hospital
managers, health professionals and other stakeholders should undertake effort to intervene the
factors that affect laboratory service interruption.
Description
Keywords
Laboratory, service, interruption, Ethiopia