Background In 2010, a National Laboratory Strategic Plan was set forth in Ethiopia to strengthen laboratory quality systems and set the stage for laboratory accreditation. As a result, the Strengthening Laboratory Management Toward Accreditation (SLMTA) programme was initiated in 45 Ethiopian laboratories. Objectives This article discusses the implementation of the programme, the findings from the evaluation process and key challenges. Methods The 45 laboratories were divided into two consecutive cohorts and staff from each laboratory participated in SLMTA training and improvement projects. The average amount of supportive supervision conducted in the laboratories was 68 hours for cohort I and two hours for cohort II. Baseline and exit audits were conducted in 44 of the laboratories and percent compliance was determined using a checklist with scores divided into zero- to five-star rating levels. Results Improvements, ranging from < 1 to 51 percentage points, were noted in 42 laboratories, whilst decreases were recorded in two. The average scores at the baseline and exit audits were 40% and 58% for cohort I (p < 0.01); and 42% and 53% for cohort II (p < 0.01), respectively. The p-value for difference between cohorts was 0.07. At the exit audit, 61% of the first and 48% of the second cohort laboratories achieved an increase in star rating. Poor awareness, lack of harmonisation with other facility activities and the absence of a quality manual were challenges identified. Conclusion Improvements resulting from SLMTA implementation are encouraging. Continuous advocacy at all levels of the health system is needed to ensure involvement of stakeholders and integration with other improvement initiatives and routine activities.

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To investigate the effect of pregnancy and Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection on detection performances of tuberculin skin test (TST) and QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube (QFTGIT) for the diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) among women living in high TB and HIV endemic setting. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted among women with and without pregnancy and HIV infection. Three-hundred twenty women were enrolled in this study and were diagnosed using TST and QFTGIT for the detection of LTBI.Results: Overall prevalence of LTBI among the enrolled women was 55.6%, 46.3% and 51.1% as determined by TST, QFTGIT and concordant TST/QFTGIT results, respectively. Our study revealed that pregnancy or HIV infection reduced the rate of detection of LTBI by TST and QFTGIT tests, with the utmost effect observed in HIV-positive pregnant women. Additionally, we observed that the concordance between TST and QFTGIT among women increased with the presence of pregnancy and/or HIV infection. A history of contact with TB patients was significantly associated with positivity of TST and QFTGIT. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that both pregnancy and HIV infection profoundly affected the detection performance of TST and QFTGIT, which may be associated with immunosuppression of antimycobacterial immunity in women with pregnancy and/or HIV infection.

This study was initiated to change the hesitation of the farmer on the effectiveness of estrus synchronization under their (Ethiopian small holder) livestock management system using two synchronization protocols. Non-pregnant animals with normal reproductive tract and that fulfilled the preconditions for estrus synchronization were considered for treatment & assigned into two synchronization protocols (single PGF2α injection; and double PGF2α injection). Among 94 (27 heifer and 67 cows) synchronized cows using one and two injections of PGF2α protocols 26 heifers and 63 cows (89/94.7%) were exhibited estrus by visual observation and rectal palpation the remaining 5 (5.3%) did not illustrate heat. The overall pregnancy was 59.6 % with overall birth 94.3 %. High pregnancy was obtained in the double injection of PGF2α treatment group (63.1 %) than animals treated with one shot protocol 55.8 % there were statistically significant difference between treatments (p<0.05). Higher pregnancy was obtained from cross breed animals than local breeds. More over most of the animals come to estrus greater than 96 hrs. There was also significant difference between technicians on detecting the CL and conception. The estrus response, conception rate, pregnancy rate and calving rate was higher in both protocols so producers or farmers can use either the two protocols to achieve remarkable result but tight follow-ups and more resources are need to be exploited at farmer level.

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