Comparative effectiveness of didactic training and short course mentoring versus basic didactic training alone on the capacity of laboratory scientist to perform Smear microscopy for rapid Identification of TB in Nigeria

: 2.005_TEC Comparative effectiveness of didactic training and short course mentoring versus basic didactic training alone on the capacity of laboratory scientist to perform Smear microscopy for rapid Identification of TB in Nigeria A. Mpamugo, I.A. Olajide, C.E. Achife, E.A.C. Onu, M. Mukiibi, B. Gobir, B.A. Peters, A. Olutola, A. Nwandu; Centre for Clinical Care & Clinical Research Nigeria, University of Maryland School of Medicine-Institute of Human Virology Baltimore, MD, USA Program/Project Purpose: Increasing case detection for TB is a major component in the rapid scale up of the STOP TB program. Low case detection rate is a major barrier to the effectiveness of the STOP TB program in Nigeria. Our mentoring program was designed to train and increase the capacity of laboratory personnel for smear microscopy across two states with high TB prevalence in Nigeria. Structure/Method/Design: Forty-six laboratory personnel without appropriate skills to perform TB smear microscopy were selected and randomly assigned to one of two training group. Group A: Participants received basic TB smear microscopy training based on the National TB training curriculum and were paired with accredited and experienced Laboratory Scientist for a 2 weeks mentoring program. Group B participants also received the same basic training but did not participate in the short mentoring program. Participants in both groups were then assigned to perform TB testing. Outcome was measured by a pre and post-test evaluation which includes theoretical objective questions and a practical session to produce smear and identify the bacilli. Outcome & Evaluation: A total of 27 laboratory scientist completed the training in Group A while 19 participants completed the training in Group B. The post evaluation showed that 63% of participants in Group A achieved the standard passing score of 80% compared to only 36% of participants in Group B that attained the passing score. Going Forward: The addition of a short term mentoring program to basic didactic training significantly improved the capacity of laboratory staff to perform smear microscopy. Funding: WHO STOP TB Partnership. Abstract #: 2.006_TEC: 2.006_TEC Designing health information skills eLearning interventions for health sciences students in Tanzania: Application of information problem-solving (IPS) model H. Haruna, X. Hu; Department of Human Resource for Health Development, Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, Division of Information & Technology Studies, Faculty of Education, the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Background: We intend to design electronic instructional interventions for the teaching and learning of health information skills in an electronic environment. The designed interventions will be used to teach health sciences students in Tanzania a set of skills to enable them to effectively utilise, evaluate and apply the available