Table 1 Observation checklist and step-by-step performance of community health workers
No. | Task category | Task | % of CHWs completing each step correctly | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Baseline (n = 90) | 12 months (n = 103) | |||
1. | P | Assembles necessary materials | 92.2 | 89.3 |
2. | A | Read RDT expiration date | 53.3 | 52.4 |
3. | P | Remove contents of test packet | 98.9 | 99.0 |
4. | P | Write patient’s name on cassette | 92.2 | 94.2 |
5. | P | Identify patient’s details and date on the RDT cassette | 87.8 | 92.2 |
6. | P | Explain procedure to patient | 66.7 | 73.8 |
7. | S | Wear gloves | 97.8 | 95.2 |
8. | P | Select 4th finger from the thumb of the left hand for blood collection | 93.3 | 86.4 |
9. | S | Clean finger with alcohol swab and allow it to dry | 95.6 | 89.3 |
10. | S | Prick finger firmly with sterile lancet | 96.7 | 94.2 |
11. | S | Discard lancet in sharps bin immediately after pricking finger | 95.6 | 95.2 |
12. | P | Do not squeeze finger excessively | 84.1 | 88.3 |
13. | A | Collect an adequate volume of blood with pipette | 78.9 | 87.4 |
14. | A | Dispense blood in correct well | 97.8 | 98.1 |
15. | S | Discards the pipette in the sharps box | 98.8 | 92.2 |
16. | P | Dispose of gloves and cotton wool in non-sharps container | 94.4 | 70.9 |
17. | A | Dispense correct volume of buffer | 97.8 | 97.1 |
18. | A | Wait for 20 min | 96.6 | 96.1 |
19. | A | Read results correctly | 90.4 | 99.0 |
20. | A | Verify internal test control | 97.6 | 88.4 |
Time-point | Summary statistics (range) | Mean (SD) | Median (IQR) |
|---|---|---|---|
Baseline | Total steps correct (0–20) | 17.80 (1.65) | 18 (17–19) |
Safety steps correct (0–5) | 4.80 (0.48) | 5 (5) | |
Accuracy steps correct (0–7) | 5.39 (0.98) | 6 (5–6) | |
12 months | Total steps correct (0–20) | 17.78 (1.89) | 18 (17–20) |
Safety steps correct (0–5) | 4.66 (0.60) | 5 (4–5) | |
Accuracy steps correct (0–7) | 6.18 (0.81) | 6 (6–7) |