The current situation of laboratory activities in detecting microbiological pathogens at the provincial health facilities, 2020

Abstract

The cross-sectional descriptive study, with the subject of microbiological / laboratory testing, was conducted in Vietnam in 2020. The aim of this study was to describe the current situation of microbiological testing activities at provincial health facilities. Information was collected through self-filled questionnaires sent via online links. 169 health facilities partcipated in the study. The results showed that most of the provincial health facilities could performed basic to advanced testing techniques with a maximum of more than 30 common microbiological pathogens. Military/ police hospitals and public hospitals were able to detect more pathogens than other health facilities. However, there were still many difficulties health facilities facing, such as lack of sample sources (40% to 92.1%), and no biogical kit, chemicals (29.4% - 77.8%), or not enough equipment (41.7% - 60.3%). Addressing difficulties, planning technical assistance, enhancing testing capacity of provincial health facilities are not only the responsibility of the health sector but also stakeholders in the near future.