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

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.