Scientific Publication

Common causes of Early infant diagnosis (EID) sample rejection in Zimbabwe and how to mitigate them

author(s) Chiku, C. - Zolfo, M. - Senkoro, M. - Mabhala, M. - Tweya, H.
from UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)
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themes
regions
  • Eastern Africa
  • Sub-Saharan Africa
  • Africa
  • World
  • Northern Europe
  • Europe
citation

Chiku C, Zolfo M, Senkoro M, Mabhala M, Tweya H, Musasa P, Shukusho FD, Mazarura E, Mushavi A, Mangwanya D. Common causes of EID sample rejection in Zimbabwe and how to mitigate them. Torpey K, editor. PLOS ONE. Public Library of Science; 2019;14(8):e0210136

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Abstract

Early infant diagnosis (EID) of HIV provides an opportunity for early HIV detection and access to appropriate Antiretroviral treatment (ART). Dried Blood Spot (DBS) samples are used for EID of exposed infants, born to HIV-positive mothers. However, DBS rejection rates in Zimbabwe have been exceeding the target of less than 2% per month set by the National Microbiology Reference Laboratory (NMRL), in Harare. The aim of this study was to determine the DBS sample rejection rate, the reasons for rejection and the possible associations between rejection and level of health facility where the samples were collected. This is an analytical cross-sectional study using routine DBS sample data from the NMRL in Harare, Zimbabwe, between January and December 2017.A total of 34 950 DBS samples were received at the NMRL. This research was supported by the UK Department for International Development’s Operational Research Capacity Building Programme led by the International Union Against TB and Lung Disease (The Union)

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