Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40170035›Full record

ArticleBMC health services research2025

Assessing user experience with the Bioline™ HCV point-of-care test in primary healthcare settings: a mixed-methods study.

Evans Duah, Evans Mantiri Mathebula, Kuhlula Maluleke, Tinyiko Violet Baloyi, Richard Kobina Dadzie Ephraim, Tivani Mashamba-Thompson

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC health services research, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Evans DuahFaculty of Health Sciences, School of Health Systems and Public Health, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, 0002, South Africa. evans.duah@tuks.co.za.
Evans Mantiri MathebulaFaculty of Health Sciences, School of Health Systems and Public Health, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, 0002, South Africa.
Kuhlula MalulekeFaculty of Health Sciences, School of Health Systems and Public Health, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, 0002, South Africa.
Tinyiko Violet BaloyiFaculty of Health Sciences, School of Health Systems and Public Health, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, 0002, South Africa.
Richard Kobina Dadzie EphraimDepartment of Medical Laboratory Science, School of Allied Health Sciences, College of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Cape Coast, PMB, Cape Coast, Ghana.
Tivani Mashamba-ThompsonFaculty of Health Sciences, School of Health Systems and Public Health, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, 0002, South Africa.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundHepatitis C Virus (HCV) is a major public health challenge, particularly in resource-limited settings with inadequate diagnostic services. The Bioline™ HCV Point-of-Care (POC) test provides a promising solution for improving diagnosis in Primary Healthcare (PHC) clinics without laboratory infrastructure. This study evaluated the test's usability, acceptability, and deliverability in Ghana using user-oriented REASSURED criteria.

methodsA convergent parallel mixed-methods design was adopted. Quantitative data was collected through direct observation of Healthcare Workers (HCWs) using audit checklists and analyzed with Stata 16. The analysis included descriptive statistics, inter-rater concordance assessment, and the application of the System Usability Scale (SUS). Qualitative data, analyzed using Atlas.ti 24.2.0, explored user experiences, confidence, storage infrastructure, and suggestions for test design improvement through in-depth interviews.

resultsThe quantitative audit included 81 non-laboratory HCWs, with 22 participating in in-depth interviews. The test scored 88.7 on the SUS (95% CI: 86.40-90.88), with 88% of HCWs rating it as easy or very easy to use. Most HCWs (81.5%) successfully completed all testing steps independently, achieving 100% inter-rater concordance, but 83% made errors in at least one step, primarily during pre-testing. Qualitative findings revealed widespread acceptance, confidence, and adaptability despite challenges with storage infrastructure. DISCUSSION: The Bioline™ HCV POC test demonstrated high usability and acceptance among HCWs in resource-limited settings. Enhancements such as improved packaging, simplified information sheets, refined droppers, and additional components like gloves could further optimize usability. These findings support the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 by enhancing access to timely HCV diagnosis, contributing to Universal Health Coverage, and strengthening health systems in underserved areas.

trial registrationThis study is part of a diagnostic trial registered in the Pan African Clinical Trial Registry ( https://pactr.samrc.ac.za ) on 24th October 2024 with trial registration number: PACTR202410837698664.

Indexed as

Hepatitis CPoint-of-Care SystemsPoint-of-Care TestingPrimary Health CareAdultFemaleGhanaHealth PersonnelHepacivirusHumansMaleMiddle AgedQualitative ResearchAcceptabilityPrimary healthcareUsabilityUser-experience, UX

Identifiers

PMID40170035
PMCPMC11963430

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.