LABORATORY USE IN GHANA: PHYSICIAN PERCEPTION AND PRACTICE

• DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.2006.75.526
• Publication Date: 2018-09-01T06:11:06Z
• Authors: CHRISTOPHER R. PO...; GEORGE BEDU-ADDO; ALEX OWUSU-OFORI; ENOCH FRIMPONG; WESTON LLOYD; EMILY ZURCHER; DEVON HALE; CATHY A. PETTI
• Keywords: Medical laboratory

Clinical diagnosis of infectious diseases in Africa has been associated with increased misdiagnosis and mortality, but when laboratory testing is available, it remains underused. We retrospectively compared diagnoses, test results, anti-microbial use, patient cost physician surveys at a teaching hospital Ghana to evaluate the potential barriers use financial impact for patients. Laboratory capacity was high, survey results objective data indicated reliance on clinical judgment empirical therapy. For study period, 9–15% malaria 34–43% urinary tract infections (UTIs), 62% meningitis cases were supported by abnormal results. same 0.82–2.09 units antibiotics consumed per day, 4.8–21.6 times that testing. Physician perception regarding value diagnostic potentially major barrier resulting empiricism, disproportionate administration,