Attitude and perceptions of Nigerian laboratory personnel towards integrated clinical samples referral network

Theophilus Faruna^1*and Dimitris Folinas²

¹Texila American University, School of Business and Management (Supply Chain Management), Georgetown, Guyana.

²Department of Logistics, Technological Educational Institute of Central Macedonia (Τ.Ε.Ι. C.M.), Kanellopoulou 2, 60100 Katerini, Greece.

*Corresponding Author’s: E-mail Address ✉: tfaruna@ghsc-psm.org; theofarus@yahoo.com; Phone no ☎: +234-803-3115787

Accepted October 21, 2019

An integrated specimen referral network is one strategy used for the optimization of the capacity of high throughput laboratory equipment, especially viral load assay and Tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis. Many countries, including Nigeria, have key-in into the Joint United Nations (UNAIDS) 90-90-90 strategy to end human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV) pandemic by the year 2030. The approach had now been dubbed ‘95-95-95 strategy’ with an increase in the targets. This study aims to determine the attitude and perceptions of Medical Laboratory personnel working in the healthcare facilities where specimen referrals do take place and their effects. An online survey on paid Survey-Monkey^TM platform and critical informants’ interviews were conducted to gather data. Theory of Planned Behaviour provided the theoretical framework for the study. The data were analyzed using Nvivo software to produce the coding into six themes as follows: Availability of monetary payment to participants; Allowances; Incentives to staff involved; Motivation; More specimen collection and analysis; and Involvement in other personal activities. These attitudes and beliefs provide stiff opposition to the establishment and operationalization of an integrated specimen referral network to the benefits of the general population. Giving antidote to these beliefs and attitudes will avert the resistance from the staff of the laboratories that are engaged in specimen transportation. Findings can help policymakers to develop better programs and services that will strengthen the specimen referral network in Nigeria.

Keywords: Humanitarian supply chain; Nigeria; Medical Laboratory; Optimized specimen referral; Logistics services providers; Attitude.

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