Original Research Article
Year: 2019 | Month: June | Volume: 9 | Issue: 6 | Pages: 216-222
HIV Retesting for Verification: Uptake and Implementation in Some Health Facilities in the Littoral Region of Cameroon
Elvis T. Amin, Mispa Zuh, Charles Njumkeng, Regina N. Mugri, Alain Tegomo Forbin, Robert Foncha,
Achu C. Awah, Agne Keko, Mado Efuetngwa, Patrick A. Njukeng
Global Health Systems Solutions, Limbe, Cameroon.
Corresponding Author: Patrick A. Njukeng
ABSTRACT
Background: The consequences of HIV misdiagnosis leading to misclassification and unnecessarily treating HIV-negative persons have many important ethical, legal, and health system consequences. However, WHO recommends HIV retesting for verification for all newly diagnosed cases by a second tester, so as to rule out potential misdiagnosis and its subsequent implications. The aim of this study was to ascertain the uptake and implementation of HIV re-testing for verification in some health facilities in the littoral region of Cameroon.
Methods: The study design consisted of a retrospective review of HIV testing registers and HIV stock cards and also a cross sectional survey on the level of knowledge of HIV testers. The study was conducted from December 2018 to January 2019. A structured questionnaire was used to capture information on the testers’ knowledge on the national algorithm for HIV diagnosis using rapid test. Stock cards were used to determine the number of test kits used and the number of tests done. The national HIV testing register was used to estimate the expected number of test that should have been used following the national testing algorithm. Data analysis was done with SPSS version 20. Proportions were calculated for categorical variables. While difference in proportions were compared with the Chi-square tests.
Results: Out of the 84 testers recruited in the study, 11 (13.1%) were not health personnel, while 65(77.4) were laboratory technician/Scientist. Up to 42(50%) of the testers had received a comprehensive training on laboratory quality assurance and HIV testing. The proportion of testers who knew the type of HIV rapid testing algorithm used in Cameroon was significantly higher 37(56.1%) among testers who were trained, compared to those who were not trained 5(27.8%) (p = 0.033). However, majority of participants who did not understand the concept of testing for verification were those who had not been trained, 83.3% compared to 16.7% who were trained (p = 0.001). Out of the 17 testing sites enrolled in the study, only 8 sites were effectively doing retesting for verification. Stocks out of HIV test kits as well as the site for which testing was done, were found to be associated with the uptake of retesting for verification.
Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that, the uptake and implementation of HIV retesting for verification is low. Stock outs and the site for which retesting for verification is done, are associated with retesting for verification uptake. Therefore, there is need for a regular policy while ensuring the availability of functional procurement systems to avoid frequent stock-outs of test kits.
Key words: HIV Retesting for Verification, Knowledge, Testing Algorithm, Cameroon