BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended the integration of malaria microscopy quality assessment (QA) with that of other microscopically diagnosed diseases, but there is no evidence that it has been attempted. We assessed the feasibility of linking malaria microscopy into the existing tuberculosis (TB) microscopy QA system in Kano, Nigeria. METHODOLOGY: Five TB microscopy centres were selected for implementing the integrated TB and malaria microscopy QA scheme in the state. A model system was designed for selecting and blinded rechecking of TB and malaria slides from these laboratories. Supervision and evaluation was conducted at 3-month intervals for 24 months. RESULTS: TB microscopy QA was strengthened in four laboratories. Full integration of the QA for TB and malaria microscopy was achieved in two laboratories, and partial integration in two other laboratories. The programme resulted in an increase in the specificity of both TB and malaria microscopy results. At the final assessment, 100% specificity was achieved for TB microscopy results in four laboratories. There was an increased concordance rate and decreased false positivity and false negativity rates of TB microscopy results in all five laboratories. CONCLUSIONS: It is feasible to integrate the QA system and training for TB and malaria microscopy for assessing and improving quality of both services. However, the integrated system needs testing in different settings in order to be able to develop sound recommendations to guide the complex scaling-up process.
BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended the integration of malaria microscopy quality assessment (QA) with that of other microscopically diagnosed diseases, but there is no evidence that it has been attempted. We assessed the feasibility of linking malaria microscopy into the existing tuberculosis (TB) microscopy QA system in Kano, Nigeria. METHODOLOGY: Five TB microscopy centres were selected for implementing the integrated TB and malaria microscopy QA scheme in the state. A model system was designed for selecting and blinded rechecking of TB and malaria slides from these laboratories. Supervision and evaluation was conducted at 3-month intervals for 24 months. RESULTS: TB microscopy QA was strengthened in four laboratories. Full integration of the QA for TB and malaria microscopy was achieved in two laboratories, and partial integration in two other laboratories. The programme resulted in an increase in the specificity of both TB and malaria microscopy results. At the final assessment, 100% specificity was achieved for TB microscopy results in four laboratories. There was an increased concordance rate and decreased false positivity and false negativity rates of TB microscopy results in all five laboratories. CONCLUSIONS: It is feasible to integrate the QA system and training for TB and malaria microscopy for assessing and improving quality of both services. However, the integrated system needs testing in different settings in order to be able to develop sound recommendations to guide the complex scaling-up process.
Authors: Moses Kiggundu; Samuel L Nsobya; Moses R Kamya; Scott Filler; Sussan Nasr; Grant Dorsey; Adoke Yeka Journal: Am J Trop Med Hyg Date: 2011-05 Impact factor: 2.345
Authors: Francesco Marinucci; Tsegahun Manyazewal; Antonio D Paterniti; Sandra Medina-Moreno; Matthew Wattleworth; Juliana Hagembe; Robert R Redfield Journal: Am J Trop Med Hyg Date: 2013-01-16 Impact factor: 2.345
Authors: Pierre Mukadi; Philippe Gillet; Albert Lukuka; Benjamin Atua; Nicole Sheshe; Albert Kanza; Jean Bosco Mayunda; Briston Mongita; Raphaël Senga; John Ngoyi; Jean-Jacques Muyembe; Jan Jacobs; Veerle Lejon Journal: Bull World Health Organ Date: 2013-04-29 Impact factor: 9.408
Authors: Muhammad Amir Khan; John D Walley; Muhammad Arif Munir; Muhammad Aslam Khan; Nayyar Ghias Khokar; Zarfishan Tahir; Athar Nazir; Nazia Shams Journal: Malar J Date: 2011-02-17 Impact factor: 2.979
Authors: Pierre Mukadi; Philippe Gillet; Albert Lukuka; Ben Atua; Simelo Kahodi; Jean Lokombe; Jean-Jacques Muyembe; Jan Jacobs Journal: Malar J Date: 2011-10-18 Impact factor: 2.979
Authors: Pierre Mukadi; Philippe Gillet; Barbara Barbé; Jean Luamba; Albert Lukuka; Joris Likwela; Dieudonné Mumba; Jean-Jacques Muyembe; Pascal Lutumba; Jan Jacobs Journal: Malar J Date: 2015-01-28 Impact factor: 2.979