Acceptability of a prototype point of care test for human taeniosis and cysticercosis diagnosis, in Mbeya and Songwe

A Dissertation 2019The proto-type Taenia solium taeniosis/cysticercosis point of care test (TSTC-POC test) is a combined T. solium taeniosis / cysticercosis diagnostic test that enables immediate diagnosis of individuals suffering from taeniosis or cysticercosis or both, and hence, enabling immediate interventions. A cross-sectional study was carried out in selected District health facilities (Ifisi, Makandana and Vwawa) of Mbeya and Songwe Regions, Tanzania to assess perceptions and factors influencing the acceptability of the TSTC-POC test among individuals who were tested during a TSTC-POC test proto-type evaluation. The assessment of acceptability of the TSTC-POC test was carried out through application of Health Belief Model (HBM), a social science theoretical framework. A total of 260 persons were interviewed using a structured questionnaire immediately after they undertook the TSTC-POC test. Data were analyzed using SPSS 16.0 where descriptive statistics and association between variables using Chi-square test were computed. Statistical significance was established at 95% confidence level and p value