ArticlePloS one2017
Health care workers' perceptions of point-of-care testing in a low-income country-A qualitative study in Southwestern Uganda.
Article in PloS one, 2017. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 29 papers, 3 of them syntheses that pooled it.
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Who cites it
29 citing papers in PubMed, 3 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.
- Implementation determinants of rapid diagnostic tests for fever management in sub-Saharan Africa: a mixed-studies systematic review.Nature communications · 2026Pooled it
- Pooled it
- Diagnosing sexually transmitted infections in resource-constrained settings: challenges and ways forward.Journal of the International AIDS Society · 2019Pooled it
- Acceptability of point-of-care viral load testing to facilitate differentiated care: a qualitative assessment of people living with HIV and nurses in South Africa.BMC health services research · 2020Trial
- Perspectives from Sri Lankan physicians on current approaches to diagnosing and managing lower respiratory tract infections.BMC research notes · 2026Article
- HIV diagnostic implementation in the Dominican Republic: an in-depth qualitative context analysis for health technology developers.BMJ open · 2026Article
- Article
- Cost-effectiveness analysis of point-of-care tests for causes of non-malarial febrile illnesses in low-resource settings: a case study from Lao PDR.BMJ public health · 2026Article
- Clinical utility of the FilmArray® meningitis/encephalitis panel in children with suspected central nervous system infection in a low-resource setting - a prospective study in Southwestern Uganda.BMC infectious diseases · 2025Observational
- Article
- Implementation considerations for a point-of-care Neisseria gonorrhoeae rapid diagnostic test at primary healthcare level in South Africa: a qualitative study.BMC health services research · 2024Article
- POC Viral Load Testing in an Antenatal Clinic Setting for Ugandan Pregnant Women Living with HIV: An Implementation Process Analysis.Discover health systems · 2024Article
- Facilitators and barriers to in vitro diagnostics implementation in resource-limited settings: A scoping review.African journal of primary health care & family medicine · 2023Article
- Stakeholders' views and experiences on implementing new diagnostics in primary care to support management of community-acquired acute respiratory tract infections: a qualitative study.Frontiers in public health · 2023Article
- Article
- "After viral load testing, I get my results so I get to know which path my life is taking me": qualitative insights on routine centralized and point-of-care viral load testing in western Kenya from the Opt4Kids and Opt4Mamas studies.BMC health services research · 2022Article
- Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin is elevated in children with acute kidney injury and sickle cell anemia, and predicts mortality.Kidney international · 2022Article
- Point-of-care testing in Paediatric settings in the UK and Ireland: a cross-sectional study.BMC emergency medicine · 2022Article
- Point-of-care testing in a high-income country paediatric emergency department: a qualitative study in Sweden.BMJ open · 2021Article
- JEV-nanobarcode and colorimetric reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (cRT-LAMP).Mikrochimica acta · 2021Article
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Authors and funding
14 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundPoint-of-care (POC) tests have become increasingly available and more widely used in recent years. They have been of particular importance to low-income settings, enabling them with clinical capacities that had previously been limited. POC testing programs hold a great potential for significant improvement in low-income health systems. However, as most POC tests are developed in high-income countries, disengagement between developers and end-users inhibit their full potential. This study explores perceptions of POC test end-users in a low-income setting, aiming to support the development of novel POC tests for low-income countries.
methodsA qualitative study was conducted in Mbarara District, Southwestern Uganda, in October 2014. Fifty health care workers were included in seven focus groups, comprising midwives, laboratory technicians, clinical and medical officers, junior and senior nurses, and medical doctors. Discussions were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Transcripts were coded through a data-driven approach for qualitative content analysis.
resultsNineteen different POC tests were identified as currently being in use. While participants displayed being widely accustomed to and appreciative of the use of POC tests, they also assessed the use and characteristics of current tests as imperfect. An ideal POC test was characterized as being adapted to local conditions, thoughtfully implemented in the specific health system, and capable of improving the care of patients. Tests for specific medical conditions were requested. Opinions differed with regard to the ideal distribution of POC tests in the local health system.
conclusionPOC tests are commonly used and greatly appreciated in this study setting. However, there are dissatisfactions with current POC tests and their use. To maximize benefit, stakeholders need to include end-user perspectives in the development and implementation of POC tests. Insights from this study will influence our ongoing efforts to develop POC tests that will be particularly usable in low-income settings.
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