In Malawi, early infant HIV diagnosis (EID, i.e. HIV screening of infants under 18 months of age) is conducted using molecular diagnostics at central laboratories. However, test volumes are growing and many parts of the country do not have close or easy access to laboratories. Test samples are transported over large distances and this can introduce testing delays, especially for patients in rural and remote areas of the country. There are growing numbers of high quality Point-Of-Care (POC) diagnostic technologies available and there is increasing interest in using these technologies to alleviate critical testing needs. This protocol describes an observational study looking at the patient impact of implementing POC EID technologies within the routine standard of care at seven facilities.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
1,752
Kamuzu Central Hospital
Lilongwe, Malawi
Machinga District Hospital
Liwonde, Malawi
Mzuzu Central Hospital
Mzuzu, Malawi
Nsanama Health Center
Nsanama, Malawi
Ntaja Health Center
Ntaja, Malawi
Ntcheu District Hospital
Ntcheu, Malawi
Migowi Health Center
Phalombe, Malawi
ART initiation retention
Proportion of HIV-positive infants initiated on anti-retroviral therapy
Time frame: 6-9 months
Test turnaround time
Number of days from testing to result being received by the health care facility
Time frame: 6-9 months
Tests received
Proportion of tests received by the health care facility
Time frame: 6-9 months
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