scholarly journals saltPAD: A New Analytical Tool for Monitoring Salt Iodization in Low Resource Settings

10.5772/62919 ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 5
Author(s):  
Nicholas M. Myers ◽  
Emmerentia Elza Strydom ◽  
James Sweet ◽  
Christopher Sweet ◽  
Rebecca Spohrer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Medical Research Council ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Paper Test ◽  
Low Resource Settings ◽  
Low Resource ◽  
Salt Iodization ◽  
Accuracy And Precision ◽  
Test Card ◽  
Further Development

We created a paper test card that measures a common iodizing agent, iodate, in salt. To test the analytical metrics, usability, and robustness of the paper test card when it is used in low resource settings, the South African Medical Research Council and GroundWork performed independent validation studies of the device. The accuracy and precision metrics from both studies were comparable. In the SAMRC study, more than 90% of the test results (n=1704) were correctly classified as corresponding to adequately or inadequately iodized salt. The cards are suitable for market and household surveys to determine whether salt is adequately iodized. Further development of the cards will improve their utility for monitoring salt iodization during production.

scholarly journals Implementation of an interactive mobile application to pilot a rapid assay to detect HIV drug resistance mutations in Kenya

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justin D Vrana ◽  
Nuttada Panpradist ◽  
Nikki Higa ◽  
Daisy Ko ◽  
Parker Ruth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drug Resistance ◽  
Clinical Laboratory ◽  
Virologic Failure ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Resistance Mutations ◽  
Hiv Drug Resistance ◽  
Low Resource Settings ◽  
Software Application ◽  
Low Resource

Introduction: Usability is an overlooked aspect of implementing lab-based assays, particularly novel assays in low-resource-settings. Esoteric instructions can lead to irreproducible test results and patient harm. To address these issues, we developed a software application based on ″Aquarium″, a laboratory-operating system run on a computer tablet that provides step-by-step digital interactive instructions, protocol management, and sample tracking. Aquarium was paired with a near point-of-care HIV drug resistance test, ″OLA-Simple″, that detects mutations associated with virologic failure. In this observational study we evaluated the performance of Aquarium in guiding untrained users through the multi-step laboratory protocol with little supervision. Methods: A feasibility study was conducted in a laboratory at Coptic Hope Center in Nairobi, Kenya. To evaluate the training by Aquarium software, twelve volunteers who were unfamiliar with the kit performed the test on blinded samples (2 blood specimens; 5 codons/sample). Steps guided by Aquarium included: CD4+ T-Cell separation, PCR, ligation, detection, and interpretation of test results. Participants filled out a short survey regarding their demographics and experience with the software and kit. Results and discussion: 12/12 laboratory technicians had no prior experience performing CD4+ separation and 7/12 had no experience performing laboratory-based molecular assays. 12/12 isolated CD4+ T cells from whole blood with yields comparable to isolations performed by trained personnel. The OLA-Simple workflow was completed by all, with correct visual and software interpretation of results for 90% (108/120) and 97% (116/120) of codons, respectively. In the surveys, participants favorably assessed the use of software guidance. Conclusions: Aquarium digital instructions enabled first-time users in Kenya to complete the OLA-simple kit workflow with minimal training. Aquarium could increase the accessibility of laboratory assays in low-resource-settings and potentially standardize implementation of clinical laboratory tests.

scholarly journals Inter-rater and intrarater reliability of the South African Triage Scale in low-resource settings of Haiti and Afghanistan

2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (6) ◽  
pp. 379-383 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammed Dalwai ◽  
Katie Tayler-Smith ◽  
Michèle Twomey ◽  
Masood Nasim ◽  
Abdul Qayum Popal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Weighted Kappa ◽  
Trauma Centre ◽  
Intrarater Reliability ◽  
The South ◽  
Rater Reliability ◽  
Low Resource Settings ◽  
Low Resource ◽  
Nursing Experience ◽  
Exact Agreement

ObjectiveThe South African Triage Scale (SATS) has demonstrated good validity in the EDs of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)-supported sites in Afghanistan and Haiti; however, corresponding reliability in these settings has not yet been reported on. This study set out to assess the inter-rater and intrarater reliability of the SATS in four MSF-supported EDs in Afghanistan and Haiti (two trauma-only EDs and two mixed (including both medical and trauma cases) EDs).MethodsUnder classroom conditions between December 2013 and February 2014, ED nurses at each site assigned triage ratings to a set of context-specific vignettes (written case reports of ED patients). Inter-rater reliability was assessed by comparing triage ratings among nurses; intrarater reliability was assessed by asking the nurses to retriage 10 random vignettes from the original set and comparing these duplicate ratings. Inter-rater reliability was calculated using the unweighted kappa, linearly weighted kappa and quadratically weighted kappa (QWK) statistics, and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Intrarater reliability was calculated according to the percentage of exact agreement and the percentage of agreement allowing for one level of discrepancy in triage ratings. The correlation between years of nursing experience and reliability of the SATS was assessed based on comparison of ICCs and the respective 95% CIs.ResultsA total of 67 nurses agreed to participate in the study: In Afghanistan there were 19 nurses from Kunduz Trauma Centre and nine from Ahmed Shah Baba; in Haiti, there were 20 nurses from Martissant Emergency Centre and 19 from Tabarre Surgical and Trauma Centre. Inter-rater agreement was moderate across all sites (ICC range: 0.50–0.60; QWK range: 0.50–0.59) apart from the trauma ED in Haiti where it was moderate to substantial (ICC: 0.58; QWK: 0.61). Intrarater agreement was similar across the four sites (68%–74% exact agreement); when allowing for a one-level discrepancy in triage ratings, intrarater reliability was near perfect across all sites (96%–99%). No significant correlation was found between years of nursing experience and reliability.ConclusionThe SATS has moderate reliability in different EDs in Afghanistan and Haiti. These findings, together with concurrent findings showing that the SATS has good validity in the same settings, provide evidence to suggest that SATS is suitable in trauma-only and mixed EDs in low-resource settings.

Diagnosis of neonatal sepsis in low resource settings: C-reactive protein or procalcitonin?

2016 ◽  
Vol 03 (02) ◽  
pp. 079-083
Author(s):  
Lawrence Mbuagbaw ◽  
Francisca Monebenimp ◽  
Bolaji Obadeyi ◽  
Grace Bissohong ◽  
Marie-Thérèse Obama ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neonatal Sepsis ◽  
C Reactive Protein ◽  
Low Resource Settings ◽  
Low Resource ◽  
Reactive Protein

Multi-Disciplinary COVID-19 Research Prioritization in Low-Resource Settings: The Ethiopia Model

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Afework Kassu ◽  
Getnet Yimer ◽  
Solomon Benor ◽  
Kassahun Tesfaye ◽  
Yifokre Tefera ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Resource Settings ◽  
Low Resource ◽  
Research Prioritization

An Approach to Formative Research in HPV Vaccine Introduction Planning in Low-Resource Settings

2009 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allison Bingham ◽  
Amynah Janmohamed ◽  
Rosario Bartolini ◽  
Hilary M. Creed-Kanashiro ◽  
Yanuar Ruhweza Katahoire ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hpv Vaccine ◽  
Formative Research ◽  
Low Resource Settings ◽  
Low Resource ◽  
Vaccine Introduction
Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document