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Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Laboratory Staff on Computer: Role in Scaling up Xpert MTB/RIF in Nigeria

Received: 30 August 2015     Accepted: 11 October 2015     Published: 27 October 2015
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Abstract

Information, Communication Technology (ICT) has become the order of the day. Globally, there is increasing quest for use of ICT in various spheres of life. The Health care sector is not left out: Computer based diagnosis is the hope of fast and accurate diagnostic process. GeneXpert machines for rapid diagnosis of Tuberculosis (TB) and drug resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB), work with GeneXpert (GX) software and computer programs. This study was carried out to assess Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Laboratory staff on computer with the view to unraveling its role in scaling up Xpert MTB/Rif in Nigeria. The survey was done using a structured, closed-ended questionnaire administered to laboratory staff operating GeneXpert machine, who participated in the study. A total of 76 GeneXpert machine operators (56.7%) out of 134 laboratory staff trained from 31 Xpert sites in Nigeria were interviewed. These included 49 Laboratory Scientists, 15 laboratory technicians and 12 other laboratory staff that operate the machine. Majority, 55 (72.4%) of the respondents had good knowledge of computer; 43 (78.2%), 4 (7.3%) and 8 (14.5%) of these were laboratory scientists, technicians and other laboratory staff respectively. Good computer knowledge was highest among scientists and lowest among technicians. These differences were statistically significant (df = 1 P < 0.01). Age, gender, owning a personal computer and formal computer training significantly influenced computing knowledge. Most Xpert MTB/RIF users 45 (64.5%) had positive attitude towards computing and this was significantly influenced by respondent's age and formal computer training. Only 38 (50%) had good computing practice; this was significantly associated with owning a personal computer (P < 0.01) and formal computer training. The major computer operation challenges observed among the laboratory staff included; Xpert calibration; completion of electronic recording tool and software operations like importing of assay definition file; plunger maintenance; generating system and error log reports as well as archiving/retrieving of tests. Introduction of basic computer training module into the Xpert training curriculum, strict adherence to SOP, continuous supportive supervision and mentorship training are recommended in Nigeria to boost efficiency of laboratory staff.

Published in Science Journal of Public Health (Volume 3, Issue 5-1)

This article belongs to the Special Issue Who Is Afraid of the Microbes

DOI 10.11648/j.sjph.s.2015030501.18
Page(s) 40-44
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2015. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Computer, Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, Laboratory, Xpert MTB/RIF

References
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[5] A. N. Zeka, S. Tasbakan and C. Cavusoglu, “Evaluation of the GeneXpert MTB/RIF Assay for Rapid Diagnosis of Tuberculosis and Detection of Rifampin Resistance in Pulmonary and Extrapulmonary Specimens. Journal of Clinical Microbiology, 2011, vol. 49(12): 4138-4141, DOI: 10.1128/JCM.05434-11.
[6] WHO, “Monitoring of Xpert MTB/RIF rollout,” World Health Organisation; Geneva, 2013.
[7] Cepheid (2009). Cepheid Brochure: Xpert®MTB/RIF. Two-hour detection of MTB and resistance to rifampicin. Available: http://www.cepheid.com/media/files/eu/brochures/XpertMTB˙Broch˙R9˙EU.pd f. Accessed 21st July, 2014.
[8] P. M. Small and M., Pai, "Tuberculosis diagnosis - time for a game change" N. Engl. J. Med. 2010, vol. 363: 1070-1071.
[9] A. Van Rie, L. Page-Shipp, L. Scott, I. Sanne and W. Stevens, "Xpert® MTB/RIF for point-of-care diagnosis of TB in high-HIV burden, resource-limited countries: hype or hope?" Expert Rev. Mol. Diagn., 2010, vol. 10: 937-946.
[10] C. C. Boehme, C. C., et al. "Rapid molecular detection of tuberculosis and rifampin resistance" N. Engl. J. Med., 2010, vol. 363: 1005-1015.
[11] P. Farmer, J. Bayona, M. Becerra, J. Furin, C. Henry, H. Hiatt, J. Y. Kim, C. Mitnick, E. Nardell, and S. Shin, “The dilemma of MDR-TB in the global era,” Int. J. Tuberc. Lung Dis., 1998. Vol. 2:869-876.
[12] C. D. Mitnick, S. S. Shin, K. J. Seung, M. L. Rich, S. S. Atwood, J. J. Furin, G. M. Fitzmaurice, F. A. Alcantara Viru, S. C. Appleton, J. N. Bayona, C. A. Bonilla, K. Chalco, S. Choi, M. F. Franke, H. S. Fraser, D. Guerra, R. M. Hurtado, D. Jazayeri, K. Joseph, K. Llaro, L. Mestanza, J. S. Mukherjee, M. Munoz, E. Palacios, E. Sanchez, A. Sloutsky, and M. C. Becerra, “Comprehensive treatment of extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis,” N. Engl. J. Med. 2008, vol. 359:563-574.
[13] D. A. Moore, C. A. Evans, R. H. Gilman, L. Caviedes, J. Coronel, A. Vivar, E. Sanchez, Y. Pinedo, J. C. Saravia, C. Salazar, R. Oberhelman, M. G. Hollm-Delgado, D. LaChira, A. R. Escombe, and J. S. Friedland, “Microscopic-observation drug-susceptibility assay for the diagnosis of TB,” N. Engl. J. Med. 2006, vol. 355:1539-1550.
[14] E. Raja, R. Mahal, V. Masih, “An exploratory study to assess the computer knowledge, attitude and skill among nurses in health care setting of a selected hospital, Ludhiana, Punjab, India,” Online J Nurs Inform, 2004, vol.8:1304-1307.
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Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Nwadike P., Gidado M., Sani U., Nwokoye N., Elom E., et al. (2015). Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Laboratory Staff on Computer: Role in Scaling up Xpert MTB/RIF in Nigeria. Science Journal of Public Health, 3(5-1), 40-44. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjph.s.2015030501.18

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    ACS Style

    Nwadike P.; Gidado M.; Sani U.; Nwokoye N.; Elom E., et al. Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Laboratory Staff on Computer: Role in Scaling up Xpert MTB/RIF in Nigeria. Sci. J. Public Health 2015, 3(5-1), 40-44. doi: 10.11648/j.sjph.s.2015030501.18

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    AMA Style

    Nwadike P., Gidado M., Sani U., Nwokoye N., Elom E., et al. Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Laboratory Staff on Computer: Role in Scaling up Xpert MTB/RIF in Nigeria. Sci J Public Health. 2015;3(5-1):40-44. doi: 10.11648/j.sjph.s.2015030501.18

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  • @article{10.11648/j.sjph.s.2015030501.18,
      author = {Nwadike P. and Gidado M. and Sani U. and Nwokoye N. and Elom E. and Onazi J. and Ajiboye P. and Iwakun M.},
      title = {Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Laboratory Staff on Computer: Role in Scaling up Xpert MTB/RIF in Nigeria},
      journal = {Science Journal of Public Health},
      volume = {3},
      number = {5-1},
      pages = {40-44},
      doi = {10.11648/j.sjph.s.2015030501.18},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjph.s.2015030501.18},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.sjph.s.2015030501.18},
      abstract = {Information, Communication Technology (ICT) has become the order of the day. Globally, there is increasing quest for use of ICT in various spheres of life. The Health care sector is not left out: Computer based diagnosis is the hope of fast and accurate diagnostic process. GeneXpert machines for rapid diagnosis of Tuberculosis (TB) and drug resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB), work with GeneXpert (GX) software and computer programs. This study was carried out to assess Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Laboratory staff on computer with the view to unraveling its role in scaling up Xpert MTB/Rif in Nigeria. The survey was done using a structured, closed-ended questionnaire administered to laboratory staff operating GeneXpert machine, who participated in the study. A total of 76 GeneXpert machine operators (56.7%) out of 134 laboratory staff trained from 31 Xpert sites in Nigeria were interviewed. These included 49 Laboratory Scientists, 15 laboratory technicians and 12 other laboratory staff that operate the machine. Majority, 55 (72.4%) of the respondents had good knowledge of computer; 43 (78.2%), 4 (7.3%) and 8 (14.5%) of these were laboratory scientists, technicians and other laboratory staff respectively. Good computer knowledge was highest among scientists and lowest among technicians. These differences were statistically significant (df = 1 P < 0.01). Age, gender, owning a personal computer and formal computer training significantly influenced computing knowledge. Most Xpert MTB/RIF users 45 (64.5%) had positive attitude towards computing and this was significantly influenced by respondent's age and formal computer training. Only 38 (50%) had good computing practice; this was significantly associated with owning a  personal computer (P < 0.01) and formal computer training. The major computer operation challenges observed among the laboratory staff included; Xpert calibration; completion of electronic recording tool and software operations like importing of assay definition file; plunger maintenance; generating system and error log reports as well as archiving/retrieving of tests. Introduction of basic computer training module into the Xpert training curriculum, strict adherence to SOP, continuous supportive supervision and mentorship training are recommended in Nigeria to boost efficiency of laboratory staff.},
     year = {2015}
    }
    

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  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Laboratory Staff on Computer: Role in Scaling up Xpert MTB/RIF in Nigeria
    AU  - Nwadike P.
    AU  - Gidado M.
    AU  - Sani U.
    AU  - Nwokoye N.
    AU  - Elom E.
    AU  - Onazi J.
    AU  - Ajiboye P.
    AU  - Iwakun M.
    Y1  - 2015/10/27
    PY  - 2015
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjph.s.2015030501.18
    DO  - 10.11648/j.sjph.s.2015030501.18
    T2  - Science Journal of Public Health
    JF  - Science Journal of Public Health
    JO  - Science Journal of Public Health
    SP  - 40
    EP  - 44
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2328-7950
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjph.s.2015030501.18
    AB  - Information, Communication Technology (ICT) has become the order of the day. Globally, there is increasing quest for use of ICT in various spheres of life. The Health care sector is not left out: Computer based diagnosis is the hope of fast and accurate diagnostic process. GeneXpert machines for rapid diagnosis of Tuberculosis (TB) and drug resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB), work with GeneXpert (GX) software and computer programs. This study was carried out to assess Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Laboratory staff on computer with the view to unraveling its role in scaling up Xpert MTB/Rif in Nigeria. The survey was done using a structured, closed-ended questionnaire administered to laboratory staff operating GeneXpert machine, who participated in the study. A total of 76 GeneXpert machine operators (56.7%) out of 134 laboratory staff trained from 31 Xpert sites in Nigeria were interviewed. These included 49 Laboratory Scientists, 15 laboratory technicians and 12 other laboratory staff that operate the machine. Majority, 55 (72.4%) of the respondents had good knowledge of computer; 43 (78.2%), 4 (7.3%) and 8 (14.5%) of these were laboratory scientists, technicians and other laboratory staff respectively. Good computer knowledge was highest among scientists and lowest among technicians. These differences were statistically significant (df = 1 P < 0.01). Age, gender, owning a personal computer and formal computer training significantly influenced computing knowledge. Most Xpert MTB/RIF users 45 (64.5%) had positive attitude towards computing and this was significantly influenced by respondent's age and formal computer training. Only 38 (50%) had good computing practice; this was significantly associated with owning a  personal computer (P < 0.01) and formal computer training. The major computer operation challenges observed among the laboratory staff included; Xpert calibration; completion of electronic recording tool and software operations like importing of assay definition file; plunger maintenance; generating system and error log reports as well as archiving/retrieving of tests. Introduction of basic computer training module into the Xpert training curriculum, strict adherence to SOP, continuous supportive supervision and mentorship training are recommended in Nigeria to boost efficiency of laboratory staff.
    VL  - 3
    IS  - 5-1
    ER  - 

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Author Information
  • KNCV Nigeria / Challenge TB Project, 4th Floor- Block B, Independence Avenue Central Business District- Abuja, Nigeria

  • KNCV Nigeria / Challenge TB Project, 4th Floor- Block B, Independence Avenue Central Business District- Abuja, Nigeria

  • KNCV Nigeria / Challenge TB Project, 4th Floor- Block B, Independence Avenue Central Business District- Abuja, Nigeria

  • National TB Reference Laboratory, Microbiology Division, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Lagos, Nigeria

  • National Tuberculosis & Leprosy Control Program, Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja, Nigeria

  • KNCV Nigeria / Challenge TB Project, 4th Floor- Block B, Independence Avenue Central Business District- Abuja, Nigeria

  • KNCV Nigeria / Challenge TB Project, 4th Floor- Block B, Independence Avenue Central Business District- Abuja, Nigeria

  • Institute of Human Virology (IHVN), Abuja, Nigeria

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