Abstract:
This study was conducted in Al-klakla medical laboratories to
evaluate the microscopical diagnosis of malaria parasites. 15
laboratories of 3 different sectors (organizational, private, and
governmental) were randomly selected. 453 blood samples
were collected from patients who attended these laboratories
to be investigated for the presence of malaria parasites. 2
blood films were made from each blood sample. The first
prepared, examined, and the result was reported by the
workers at these laboratories. Then the other was made and
examined by the investigator for follow up and confirmation
of the results. The examined blood films were then sent to the
malaria reference laboratory of the Ministry of Hhealth for
further confirmation. The results revealed the following:
−
The
overall
slide positivity rate of the study samples was 6% and 10%
was reported from the different laboratories.
−
The
general
condition of the laboratory (building, cleanness, work space,
water and electricity supply) showed no significant effect on
the positivity of the results.
−
False
positive
results were not significantly different among the different
laboratory sectors.
−
The
results
showed 25% false positive results when the collection
technique was done properly and 38% when it was done
improperly.
−
With good and
bad smearing technique, the false positive results were 24%
and 52% respectively.
−
With
good
staining technique the false positive results were 20%, and up
to 42% with bad staining technique.
−
29%
false
positive results reported when efficient microscopes were
used, and 47% when inefficient microscopes were used.
−
50% was the
highest false positive results reported from diploma holder’s
category, and only 22% was reported from bachelor holder’s
category.
−
False
positive
results reported by personnel who received training in malaria
diagnosis was 15% and 67% reported by the untrained
category.
