Expanding access to viral load testing in Nigeria; the impact of third party logistics

Authors

  • Ajani Love Adeiye Department of Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Malaysia University of Science and Technology, Selangor
  • Ajani Olumide Faith Department of Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Malaysia University of Science and Technology, Selangor
  • Sanni Olaniyi Felix Department West African Breast Cancer Study, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos State
  • Abiodun Olaiya Paul Department of National Integrated Specimen Referral Network, AXIOS International, Utako, FCT, Abuja
  • Justin Onyebuchi Nwofe Department of Logistics and Health System Strengthening, Excellent Community Education Welfare Scheme
  • Kaniki Freddy Rukema Department of Health Sciences, Ebenezer University of Minembwe, Minembwe, South Kivu,
  • Shadi Kafi Mallak Department of Energy and Environment, Malaysia University of Science and Technology, Selangor

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20195828

Keywords:

Viral load, Logistics, HIV treatment, Sample referral system

Abstract

Background: Access to viral load testing in Nigeria remains a key challenge in achieving the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) 90:90:90 targets in the fight against HIV/AIDS. This study investigates the impact of 3 party logistics (3PL) on expanding access to viral load testing.

Methods: This exploratory, case study research was carried out in Abuja in December, 2018, using in-depth interview method. Open-ended questions were used to interview nine staff from the three polymerase chain reaction laboratories in Federal Capital Territory. The audios of interviews were recorded and transcribed on paper. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 24.

Results: This study revealed that the adoption of 3PL services has helped to overcome major challenges of viral load testing such as late delivery of samples, late collection of results, and rejection problems; thereby reduced sample rejection frequencies, increased efficiency, reduced turnaround time and ease viral load testing processes. Though the adoption of 3PL has helped to overcome major challenges of viral load testing, however, the challenges still facing viral load testing include the 3PLs bringing samples at any time-even at closing hours, not delivering results to facilities on time after pickup, poor medical backgrounds and inability of 3PLs to enforce instructions on facilities. However, respondents expressed satisfaction with the services of the 3PLs.

Conclusions: The findings of this study revealed that the adoption of 3PL service into viral load transport logistics has positive impacts on the process. However, only one of the laboratories uses two 3PL providers while other two use only one.

 

Author Biography

Sanni Olaniyi Felix, Department West African Breast Cancer Study, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos State

Department of West African Breast Cancer Study

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Published

2019-12-25

How to Cite

Adeiye, A. L., Faith, A. O., Felix, S. O., Paul, A. O., Nwofe, J. O., Rukema, K. F., & Mallak, S. K. (2019). Expanding access to viral load testing in Nigeria; the impact of third party logistics. International Journal Of Community Medicine And Public Health, 7(1), 28–35. https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20195828

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Section

Original Research Articles