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Background: Microbiology services are significantly underutilized in the clinical practice of the Ethiopian health system. Although this gap is generally perceived by clinicians and leaders in the health sector, there is no solid evidence depicting the gap in microbiology services and their use by clinicians. Studies to establish associated factors were also not conducted so far. This survey aims to fill in this information gap.
Objective: To determine the availability, comprehensiveness and utilization of microbiology services in public hospitals in Addis Ababa.
Methods: A cross sectional descriptive study was conducted in eight public hospitals in Addis Ababa all with microbiology labs. Data was collected using an interviewer administered checklist and utilization of lab services by clinicians was assessed using a self-administered questionnaire. Data collected was analyzed using SPSS 27. Descriptive statistics, binary and multivariable logistic regression were used for analysis.
Results: Four hundred clinicians have participated in this study, with a response rate of 97%. Eight of the 14 labs in Addis Ababa provided modestly comprehensive microbiology services. Five microbiology labs reported interruption of services at least once during the last fiscal year. Half of (51%) clinicians on the other hand had gaps in knowledge on the availability of services in their facility. Only half maintained an acceptable level of prescribing “culture and sensitivity” tests. Female clinicians had better prescribing habits (AOR=3.01, 95% CI=0.91, 4.89, P < 0.001).
Conclusion and recommendation: The caveats in supply logistics, lab system management and knowledge of microbiology services need to be systematically addressed by relevant stakeholders. |
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