AEGiS-15IAC: Upgrading Laboratory Training Schools for HIV Testing.

15th International AIDS Conference

Bangkok, Thailand - July 11-16, 2004

Upgrading Laboratory Training Schools for HIV Testing.

Int Conf AIDS 2004 Jul 11-16; 15:(abstract no. C10307)

Valentine P, Porter C, Davis M
Howard University, Washington, DC, United States

BACKGROUND: The laboratory capacity and infrastructure are important in providing HIV/AIDS care and support. As more HIV/AIDS treatments become available in sub-Sahara Africa, laboratory training institutions will be challenged to produce more technicians to fill job vacanices. They will be further challenged to present a quality educational program that addresses HIV testing and monitoring needs despite shortages of working equipment, reagents and supplies.

METHODS: Howard University is supporting the CDC Global AIDS Program in Malawi to strengthen the laboratory capacity and infrastructure. A pre-service assessment was conducted to document the needs of tutors at training institutions and hospital personnel who are preparing laboratory technicians for HIV work. Data was collected through surveys and focus groups on available resources, curricula content, tutor training and expertise, and skills of laboratory technicians. Site visits were made to observe laboratory operations.

RESULTS: Training institutions reported a 20% shortage of tutors, inadequate training space and a severe shortage of laboratory equipment. Textbooks and reference materials were outdated. The curriculum lacked sufficient content in HIV testing, and less than 25% of the tutors had attended training on HIV testing. Tutors visited students infrequently due to a lack of resources, and students were not taught certain procedures due to inadequate or malfunctioning equipment. HIV testing was not commonly performed in laboratories where students were trained.

CONCLUSIONS: The results support the need to upgrade the laboratory curriculum, provide the laboratory training institutions and hospital laboratories with equipment, reagents and supplies, and to upgrade the knowledge and skills of tutors.

Keywords: AEGIS, Schools, Laboratories, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Curriculum, Teaching, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.), HIV Infections, HIV Seropositivity, Students, HIV Seroprevalence, Health Resources, Africa, Africa, Northern, Malawi, education, organization & administration

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C10307